Trends in repeat general anaesthesia for treatment of dental caries at a children's hospital in Toronto, Canada: a 10-year retrospective investigation.

BACKGROUND Treatment of early childhood caries (ECC) under general anaesthesia (GA) was the most common day surgical procedure performed for preschool children in Canada. Evidence with regard to the rate of repeat GA for dental care for Canadian Children is limited. AIM To determine the rate of repeat dental caries treatment performed under GA over a 10-year period and to assess the relationship between the frequency of repeat dental treatment under GA and medical comorbidities. DESIGN This was a retrospective assessment of the dental records of 973 children who required repeat dental treatment under GA over a 10-year period. The rate of repeat dental treatment under GA was calculated. A Chi-square analysis was performed to determine associations between medical comorbidities and the frequency of repeat dental treatment under GA. RESULTS The rate of repeat dental treatment under GA over a 10-year period was 10.8%. The yearly repeat rate and simple moving 5-year rate of repeat dental treatment under GA increased. Having a medical comorbidity was not associated with repeat dental treatment under GA. CONCLUSIONS The rate of repeat dental treatment under GA was consistent with the rates reported in the dental literature and increased over the 10-year period.