Factors influencing the oral health of children undergoing general anesthesia

This study investigates factors in children undergoing general anesthesia for dental treatment at the University Children's Hospital of Basel (UKBB). A cross-sectional survey was conducted among parents of children (n = 119) receiving dental treatment under general anesthesia. A multilingual questionnaire collected data on demographics, oral hygiene practices, dietary habits, and dental experiences. Children's mean age was 5.9 years; 47.9% were aged between 5 and 8 years. A total of 18.5% had an underlying medical condition and 84.0% had a migration background. Children of migrant parents had significantly lower German proficiency than those of Swiss nationals (p < 0.05). Lower household incomes were predominantly observed in families with a migration background. Parental awareness of oral health varied with 58.8% unaware of whether their child's toothpaste contained fluoride. Children of Swiss parents were more likely to begin brushing their teeth at 6-8 months, whereas children with a migration background tended to start later (p < 0.05). High sugar consumption was prevalent, with 40.7% of children consuming sweets daily. Dental anxiety was reported in 60.7% of children, particularly in older age groups (p < 0.05). These findings highlight the need for targeted preventive measures focusing on early dental care education for risk groups to reduce the need for invasive treatments under general anesthesia.