Dental general anaesthetic pre-assessments completed by a specialist—does it change patient outcomes? A UK-based study

Background: In the United Kingdom, assessments for dental general anaesthetics (DGA), completed by a Specialist in Paediatric Dentistry, are purported to be the gold standard. Aim: To evaluate the outcome of dental assessments completed by a Specialist in Paediatric Dentistry after a referral for an exodontia DGA by the patients’ General Dental Practitioner (GDP). Design: Six hundred and forty-two sets of notes were reviewed from patients referred for exodontia DGA at a community dental service in the United Kingdom. Information was gathered regarding patients’ oral health and the treatment they had received at three key points; at initial assessment by the Specialist in Paediatric dentistry, hypothetically if the GDPs treatment plan had been followed, and following specialist assessment and treatment. Results: Statistically significant differences were found in the dental assessment and the subsequent treatment children received between GDP plans and specialist plans. Proposed exodontia plans were changed by the specialist in 85% of cases, with more than 12% of the sample avoiding the need for a DGA. Conclusions: An assessment by a Specialist in Paediatric Dentistry prior to an exodontia GA significantly changed the outcome for patients. Further work is required to investigate whether there is any long-term effect of specialist DGA assessment on oral health.