What is it about?
Some patients, including those with severe learning disabilities, autism, dementia, and severe dental phobia, may need general anaesthesia (GA) to undergo dental treatment. These patients may not be able to receive treatment under local anaesthetics in a regular dental surgery safely. This paper describes how dental and medical teams work with patients and carers to plan how to undertake this care, minimising stress and anxiety for the individual.
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Why is it important?
People with disabilities often have higher levels of dental disease compared to the general population. General anaesthesia or sedation may be indicated when undertaking dental care. A significant amount of planning and preparation is necessary so that treatment under general anaesthesia is delivered safely whist minimising stress for the patient/carers.This article primarily aims to summarise some of the challenges that may be encountered in the planning and delivery of GA and how these may be mitigated whilst optimising safety and supporting patients with the most complex needs. The article is one of a two-part series, the second of which discusses the practicalities of delivering dental care under GA.
Perspectives
It was a pleasure to write this article with my co-authors. I hope that it is helpful not only to other dentists within special care dentistry but also to other medical specialities who provide care for patients with learning disabilities, autism and dementia under general anaesthesia. We think that investing time into planning care, thinking outside the box, and working with our anaesthetic colleagues enables us to provide the best possible patient-centred care..
Mili Doshi
Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: General Anaesthesia in Special Care Dentistry. Part 1: Justifying and Planning the Use of General Anaesthesia, Dental Update, December 2024, Mark Allen Group,
DOI: 10.12968/denu.2024.51.11.780.
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