Comprehensive dental care of pediatric patients treated under general anesthesia in a hospital setting in Saudi Arabia

The aims of this study were to determine the characteristics of patients and type of dental treatment carried out using dental general anesthesia (DGA) during two years in a following three year period. A total of 182 patients received treatment between 1999 and 2001. The mean age was 4.9 years. The main indication for DGA was behavior management problems. Complete oral rehabilitation including complex restorative treatment and extractions was provided under DGA at a single visit. Failure to return for recalls was common; 83% of patients returned for the post-operative recall but only 26% after a three year period. Most of the patients requiring further treatment accepted it in the dental chair. Only one patient received a second DGA during the three years following treatment.