Exploring sibling patterns in dental treatment under general anaesthetic

Aims Dental treatment under general anaesthesia (DGA) in children is a major public health concern. In the UK, dental extractions are the leading cause of hospital admissions for 6-10-year-olds. Although family-related risk factors are known, no UK-based study has explored the characteristics of siblings undergoing DGA. The aims of this study were to: 1) describe the sociodemographic characteristics of siblings receiving DGA; 2) outline the diagnoses and treatment; 3) identify predictors of repeat DGA among siblings; and 4) compare within- and between-family factors.Methods This retrospective cohort study analysed records of children treated with DGA at a London teaching hospital 2010-2021. Siblings were identified using surname, address and next-of-kin data. Sociodemographic and treatment data were extracted and analysed using SPSS.Results Six percent of children had siblings who also had DGA (730 children from 356 families). Most were two-sibling families (95%), 75% were aged 3-9 years, 38% were Asian and 83% lived in the most deprived areas. Caries was the most common diagnosis (92%); 98% underwent extractions. Young age, Black ethnicity, 'complex developmental conditions' and restorations at first DGA were predictors of repeat DGA. Siblings had DGA at similar ages (mean difference: five months) with similar numbers of teeth extracted.Conclusions DGA in siblings highlights ethnic and socioeconomic inequalities. Strong within-family concordance suggests shared risk factors requiring family-based interventions.