Significant Factors Related to Failed Pediatric Dental General Anesthesia Appointments at a Hospital-based Residency Program

Abstract

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to: (1) evaluate the relationship between appointment failure and the factors of age, gender, race, insurance type, day of week, scheduled time of surgery, distance traveled, and weather; (2) investigate reasons for failure; and (3) explore the relationships between the factors and reasons for failure. Methods: Electronic medical records were accessed to obtain data for patients scheduled for dental care under general anesthesia from May 2012 to May 2015. Factors were analyzed for relation to appointment failure. Results: Data from 3,513 appointments for 2,874 children were analyzed. Bivariate associations showed statistically significant (P<0.05) relationships between failed appointment and race, insurance type, scheduled time of surgery, distance traveled, snowfall, and temperature. Multinomial regression analysis showed the following associations between factors and the reason for failure (P<0.05): (1) decreased temperature and increased snowfall were associated with weather as reason for failure; (2) the African American population showed an association with family barriers; (3) Hispanic families were less likely to give advanced notice; and (4) the "additional races" category showed an association with fasting violation. Conclusion: Patients who have treatment under general anesthesia face specific barriers to care.