Pediatric dental procedures under general anesthesia at the Amiri Hospital in Kuwait

Ninety-six patients, fifty-eight healthy patients and thirty-eight special needs patients, ranging in age from 3 to 31 yr (average age 6.9 yr) had received dental treatments under general anesthesia (GA) at Amiri Hospital. The mean number of dental procedures per child was 13.6 (SD+/-5.4) with a mean number of 15.6 procedures for healthy patients and 10.5 special needs patients. There was a statistically significantly higher number of dental procedures for healthy patients than for special needs patients (p<0.001). The number of pulpotomies and stainless steel crowns placed for healthy patients was significantly higher (3.5) than for special needs patients (1.3) with (p<0.001) The average number of extractions was similar for the two groups of patients, 2.8 for normal and 2.2 for handicapped. On the basis of these results, it was concluded that dental treatment under GA in hospital environment is beneficial for certain group of patients, such as very young children and those with special needs. Underlying medical conditions influenced the treatment provided.