Abstract
Many New Zealand (NZ) children undergo dental treatment under general anaesthetic (GA), most commonly for treating early childhood caries. This narrative review describes the literature on dental GA rates and characteristics of treated children in NZ and internationally, including a discussion of GA costs and frequency of repeat admissions. It also highlights considerations for treating children with special health care needs, implications for quality of life, along with dental GAs among overseas-born children and GA safety and morbidity. The rate of dental GAs rose by 67% from 2004 to 2014, with persisting ethnic and socioeconomic disparities. Additionally, some children continued to need repeated GA procedures. Rates of treatment for overseas-born children were higher than for their non-overseas-born counterparts. Although dental GAs are costly, there is a considerable improvement in quality of life for both the child and family after treatment. Clinical decision-making when providing dental care under GA should consider current best practice in oral condition management and balance this against the need to avoid repeat procedures. Health policy at the broadest level should have preventive strategies as a foundation in order to reduce the dental GA rate while ensuring that GA care is available for those who need it, when they need it. Research is needed to update knowledge on the scope of dental care provided under GA for NZ children and whether treatment provided aligns with best practice.