A cost analysis of treating pediatric dental patients using general anesthesia versus conscious sedation

The purpose of this pilot study is to report a cost comparison of general anesthesia (GA) versus oral conscious sedation (CS) for the treatment of pediatric dental patients.

The study sample included 22 children whose parents/guardian selected GA care for their child. Selection criteria limited inclusion to healthy children (ASA I) ages 24-60 m.o. The subjects acted as their own comparison group to an estimation CS model. Models were developed to assess societal costs for treatment under GA and CS. Treatment rendered was equalized using the dental Relative Based Value Units Scale (RBVU).

Ordinary Least Squares Regression analysis techniques showed the association of RBVU to the total societal costs of GA and CS to be significant (P < 0.01) with an adjusted R2 of .64 and .78 respectively. When regression lines were plotted, the intersection represented RBVU level at which societal costs of GA and CS were the same.

Under the conditions of this pilot study, it is concluded that CS costs exceed GA costs at a RBVU level of 66.4, which would equate to more than three CS appointments.