Purpose: The overall objective of this study was to identify the economic burden of treatment of early childhood caries (ECC) under general anesthesia (GA) at a large urban tertiary care facility. A secondary aim was to compare quality of life indicators to child-specific (health status, socioeconomics, and number of teeth restored) variables.
Methods: This IRB approved cross-sectional study consisted of a cohort treated at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Dental Clinic Surgery Center. Parents of qualifying patients were asked to complete a pre-operative and day-of-surgery ‘balance sheet’ outlining associated costs (both dollars and time). Following surgery, families were contacted within 48-72 hours of surgery to complete a post-operative balance sheet.
Results: Data from 105 families were collected and analyzed. Children treated had a mean of 8.4 teeth restored. The mean reported annual income for families was $26,447. Families traveled a mean of 104 ± 84 miles one way to access dental care. Families spent a mean of $32.50 ± 69.17 on visits related to ECC care under GA. Parents lost a mean of 10.5 hours ± 11.6 from work and a mean of 4.9 ± 6.8 hours of sleep taking care of their children. Nineteen percent of parents reported missing at least one meal to bring their child to the surgery appointment.
Conclusion: The burden of ECC and its treatment under GA go beyond the visible dental restorative work to include significant economic and time costs.