Experience of special care patients receiving dental rehabilitation under general anesthesia at King Saud University Dental University Hospital

Patients with special healthcare needs (SHCN) face significant challenges in accessing dental rehabilitation services, particularly under general anesthesia (GA). This study examined the waiting time from screening to pre-anesthesia appointments and association between demographics and clinical factors with the waiting time among the SHCN patients treated at xxx Dental University Hospital. This retrospective study included 210 SHCN patients who had full mouth rehabilitation under GA. Analysis of the collected data showed that the average waiting time from clinical first visit screening appointment to pre-anesthesia clinic assessment was 10.06 ± 12.49 months while average complete dental rehabilitation surgery duration was 213.80 ± 101.98 min. ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) patients had the highest waiting time, while ASD (autism spectrum disorder) patients had the least waiting time, which was 14.29 and 9.29 months respectively. Findings indicate that systemic barriers, such as limited operating room (OR) availability and a lack of specialized professionals, contribute to prolonged waiting times and variability in treatment experiences. The study highlights the need for targeted reforms and tailored care approaches to improve access and outcomes for SHCN patients.