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Patient Management

32 - Consequences of wait periods for dental rehabilitation under general anesthesia

Friday, May 22, 2026
11:00 AM - 11:15 AM PST
Has Audio

    Presenting Author(s)

  • KH

    Kathryn J. Hanson, DMD

    Chief Resident
    Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, D.C.
    Children's National Hospital
    Washington, District of Columbia, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • Anupama Rao Tate, DMD, MPH, DMD MPH

    Oral Health Advocacy Director, Associate Professor of Pediatrics (George Washington Medical School)
    Children's National Hospital
    The George Washington Univeristy School of Medicine
    Washington, District of Columbia, United States

  • RB

    Reeya Boolchandani, DMD

    Children's National Hospital

  • JC

    Jennifer L. Cully, DMD, MEd, DMD, MEd

    Chief of Dentistry
    Children's National Hospital
    Washington, District of Columbia, United States

    • Research Mentor(s)

  • Anupama Rao Tate, DMD, MPH, DMD MPH

    Oral Health Advocacy Director, Associate Professor of Pediatrics (George Washington Medical School)
    Children's National Hospital
    The George Washington Univeristy School of Medicine
    Washington, District of Columbia, United States

    • Program Director(s)

  • MC

    Mudrika Chhabra, BDS, DMD, MSD

    Program Director
    Children's National Hospital
    Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Abstract:

Purpose: To investigate adverse effects of extended wait periods for dental rehabilitation under general anesthesia (DRGA) and to improve prioritization of patients for DRGA to minimize adverse dental-related events.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was completed on patients who received DRGA. Information collected included: Initial appointment where DRGA was planned, DRGA date, age at DRGA, medical history, specialty service (if applicable) of joint case, pre-operative interim therapies , zip code, and any adverse experiences during wait for DRGA ( pain, facial swelling, and missed school and visits to the Emergency Department or dental clinic for pain/abscess/swelling.) Descriptive statistics were completed.

Results: Ninety-five patient charts were reviewed. Average wait time for DRGA was 164.3 days. Sixty-one percent of patients (58/95) did not report any adverse events while waiting for DRGA. The most common adverse event was dental pain (34%, 32/95). Patients who missed school, visited the ED, or had a history of facial swelling while waiting for DRGA had statistically significantly shorter median wait times compared to those who did not. There was no relationship found between median wait times and any of the following patient groups: Medical history including cardiac or developmental conditions; Needing emergency dental care; Age; or need for joint cases.


Conclusion: Current systems show appropriate prioritization, noted by decreased wait times, of patients who missed school, visited the ED, or had a history of facial swelling. Identifying common adverse events can help create a prioritization system for patients who are waiting for DRGA.

Identify Supporting Agency and Grant Number: Research supported by Children's National Hospital Division of Oral Health