The efficacy of comprehensive dental care for children under general anesthesia.

A review of 80 children treated under general anesthesia for comprehensive dental treatment between 1984 and 1987 inclusive was carried out to assess the effectiveness of this type of care. A minimum 2-year follow-up period was used. This approach allowed the dentition to be restored in one visit. Preventive care and 'behaviour shaping' could then begin at subsequent visits to the dental clinic. It was found that 80% of the children needing further treatment at a later date accepted local anaesthesia and treatment in the normal way. Full coverage stainless steel crowns were significantly more successful (3% failure rate) than amalgam or composite restorations (29% failure rate). Vital pulpotomies also showed only a 2% failure rate.