373 - Dental Anxiolytic Premedication Effectiveness in Children with Special Needs

Abstract:

Purpose: To obtain an overview of pediatric patients with special healthcare needs seen in the Children’s Health outpatient clinic who receive pre-visit anxiolysis including which medication is used.



Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of pediatric patients with special health care needs (SHCN) who received anxiolytic medications at Children’s Health outpatient dental clinic from January 2021 to July 2025. Data were extracted from the clinic database, de-identified, and assigned randomized subject numbers. Analyses were descriptive, summarizing demographic characteristics and clinical patterns; continuous variables were reported. The study was classified as minimal risk and conducted in compliance with HIPAA.



Results: From 1,275 charts, 300 patients were included after removing duplicates and applying exclusions. The cohort comprised 157 new patients (88 males, 69 females; mean age 11.4 years) and 143 recall patients (101 males, 42 females; mean age 11.1 years), with diazepam and lorazepam as prescribed anxiolytics. Neurodevelopmental disorders were present in 184 patients, trisomy in 40, syndromic diagnoses in 38, and other chromosomal, neurological, or hematologic conditions in 38. Premedication led to effective behavioral improvement in 23% of patients, had no observable effect in 60%, and was not administered in 17%.



Conclusions: Pre-visit anxiolysis demonstrated limited overall effectiveness in this population. Behavioral outcomes were variable and influenced by multiple external factors. Future studies should incorporate standardized behavioral scales and caregiver-reported outcomes to better assess treatment effectiveness in pediatric patients with SHCN.

Identify Supporting Agency and Grant Number: Research supported by Chidlren’s Health SM