168 - The Impact of Dental GA Wait Times on OHRQoL

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of general anesthesia (GA) wait times on the oral health–related quality of life (OHRQoL) of pediatric patients and their families.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered to caregivers of children scheduled for complete oral rehabilitation under GA at a hospital-based pediatric dental clinic. Surveys were available in English and Spanish and collected via REDCap. Measures included demographics, dental pain history, urgent and emergency care utilization, antibiotic and analgesic use, and OHRQoL assessed using the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, Spearman rank-order correlation, and multiple linear regression.

Results: Forty-two surveys were completed, with 89% completed in English. Dental pain was commonly reported, with many children experiencing symptoms lasting longer than three months. Analgesic and antibiotic use were prevalent, and caregivers reported frequent urgent care utilization. The mean ECOHIS score indicated meaningful impacts on sleep, eating, behavior, and school attendance, with caregivers reporting worry, guilt, and missed work. One-way ANOVA revealed significant differences in ECOHIS scores across wait time categories (F(3,38)=4.41, p=.009, η²=.258). Wait time was positively correlated with ECOHIS scores (ρ=.391, p=.011). Multiple regression analysis explained 51% of the variance in OHRQoL (R²=.510), with wait time emerging as the strongest predictor.

Conclusions: Prolonged GA wait times are significantly associated with poorer OHRQoL, sustained symptoms, and functional impairment, while families experience considerable emotional and practical burden. These findings underscore the need for system-level strategies to reduce delays and optimize interim management for affected children.