249 - Influence of Sibling History on the Likelihood of Dental General Anesthesia

Influence of Sibling History on the Likelihood of Dental General Anesthesia

Wallick T

NYU Langone, Tampa, Fl

Purpose: Early childhood caries (ECC) is a common multifactorial disease requiring various behavioral management strategies. While maternal influence on oral health is well studied, the role of sibling relationships in shaping oral health behaviors, treatment outcomes, and behavior management techniques remains underexplored. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the influence of sibling relationships on the need for dental general anesthesia (GA) for pediatric patients at Suncoast Community Health Center. 

Methods: A retrospective chart review study was completed to evaluate records of 100 sibling pairs ages 3-13 years old who were seen at Suncoast Community Health Center’s Dental Departments from 01/01/2015 – 01/31/2024. The older sibling must have had treatment with general anesthesia and the younger sibling required treatment. The younger sibling’s treatment could be completed with tell show do (TSD), nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, or GA.

Results: Of the younger siblings, 10% had treatment utilizing TSD, 37% had nitrous oxide, 12% had oral conscious sedation, and 41% had general anesthesia. There were significantly more (older-mean(SD)=20(7); younger-mean(SD)=12(9); P < .001) treatments performed on the older sibling than the younger siblings. Additionally, significantly more (P < .001) treatments were completed with GA or nitrous oxide compared to TSD and oral conscious sedation.

Conclusion: These results suggest there is a significant correlation between an older sibling who had dental GA and the younger sibling’s behavior management modality required to complete treatment.   

Identify Supporting Agency and Grant Number: