Long-term outcome of oral health in patients with early childhood caries treated under general anaesthesia

Aim: Reports on the long-term outcome of oral health in children with early childhood caries (ECC) treated under general anaesthesia (GA) are lacking. The aim of this study was to assess oral health in adolescents with history of ECC treated under GA at young age. Methods: A total of 98 children treated under GA because of ECC at the University Hospitals of Leuven (Belgium) (1995–1996) were included in a follow-up study. Information was collected at baseline (GA) and 1 and 12 years after treatment. The children were examined clinically [oral hygiene, caries experience (CE)] and oral health behaviour was recorded using a questionnaire. Results: At second recall, 46 (48 %) adolescents could be contacted; 21 of these attended the dental clinic. Their mean age was 17.5 years (SD 1.4) with mean time span since GA of 13.1 years (SD 0.8); 91 % presented with CE. Mean D3MFT was 8.2 (SD 5.6) (median 7; range 0–18); 71 % showed untreated decay. A considerable gap between knowledge of content and actual use of fluoride in toothpaste was evident. Conclusions: Individuals with a history of ECC remained at high risk for caries in their permanent dentition. There is a need for well-designed long-term studies to explore associated factors. © 2014, European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry.