Dental Treatment Time Research Articles

Lifespan of Splints in a Sample of German Soldiers Hospitalised with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Combination with Sleep Bruxism and Painful Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD).

This cross-sectional longitudinal observational study aimed to clarify the question of whether painful temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in psychiatrically confirmed patients hospitalised for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) therapy after using splint therapy (ST) show long-term therapeutic effects in the case of functional disorders. One hundred fifty-three (153) inpatients (123 male and 20 female soldiers, age 35.8 ± 9.2 years, 26.6 ± 2.2 teeth) with confirmed PTSD (Impact of Event Scale - Revised ≥33), grade 3 to 4 chronic pain according to von Korff's Chronic Pain Scale and the research diagnostic criteria of painful TMD (RDC-TMD) were recorded. All participants received a maxillary occlusal splint that was worn at night. Control check-ups of the therapeutic effect of the splint were conducted for up to 9 years during psychiatric follow-ups. TMD pain worsened in 22 (14.4%) patients within the first 6 weeks and led to the removal of the splint. The pain intensity (PI) at BL was reported to be a mean of VAS 7.7 ± 1.1. Six weeks after ST (n = 131), the average PI was recorded as VAS 2.6 ± 1.3. Based on the last examination date of all subjects, the average PI was recorded as 0.7 ± 0.9. Seventy-two (72) patients used a second stabilisation splint in the maxilla after 14.4 ± 15.7 months, and 38 patients used between 3 and 8 splints during their psychiatric and dental treatment time (33.7 ± 29.8 months). The presented data shows that therapeutic pain reduction remained valid in the long term despite continued PTSD. The lifespan of a splint seems to be dependent on individual factors. Long-term splint therapy appears to be accepted by the majority of patients with PTSD and painful TMD.

Effect of Using Hydrogen Peroxide for Periodic Disinfection Combined With Continuous Disinfection to Control Contamination in Dental Unit Waterline

To observe the effect of using hydrogen peroxide in periodic disinfection combining with continuous disinfection of dental unit waterlines and to provide references for the selection of waterway disinfection measures. A total of 4 dental units in a hospital of stomatology were selected through convenience sampling. The dental unit waterlines received periodic disinfection once every 4 weeks in addition to continuous disinfection (When the dental units were not used for more than 3 days, an additional periodic disinfection would be performed.). Periodic disinfection referred to filling up the waterlines with a disinfectant solution (1.4% hydrogen peroxide) by using the waterline disinfection device that came with the dental unit, immersing for 24 hours, and then emptying out the disinfectant solution. Continuous disinfection referred to using hydrogen peroxide at a concentration of 0.014% as dental treatment water and using it to flush the waterlines for 2 minutes before any dental treatment in the morning and to flush the waterlines for 30 seconds after each dental treatment. The study lasted for 25 weeks, with periodic disinfection being performed for 7 times and continuous disinfection carried out for the rest of the dental treatment time. During the 25 weeks, water samples were collected from air/water syringes and high-speed handpieces. Then, the water samples were incubated and the bacterial concentration and the qualification rates were calculated accordingly. When the bacterial concentration≤100 CFU/ mL, the water samples were considered to be qualified. Waterline tubes of 1 cm were collected before and after the 25 weeks of disinfection with hydrogen peroxide. Biofilms in the waterline tube were observed under scanning electron microscope. A total of 352 water samples were collected. Eight water samples were collected before disinfection with hydrogen peroxide, with the median of bacterial concentration being 3140 CFU/mL. On the first day of disinfection with hydrogen peroxide, the median bacterial concentration in dental treatment water was 7.5 CFU/mL. There was a significant difference between the bacterial concentration of the water samples before the disinfection and that after the disinfection (P=0.012). A total of 344 water samples were collected after the disinfection, with the median bacterial concentrations for air/water syringes and high-speed handpieces being 11 CFU/mL and 11CFU/mL and the qualified rates being 83.7% and 82.0%, respectively. There was no significant difference in bacterial concentration or the qualification rates. During week 1 through week 9 of the disinfection, the qualification rates of the dental treatment water always exceeded 80% in 8 weeks, with week 3 being the exception. In the two four-week disinfection periods of week 14 through week 17 and week 18 through week 21, the qualification rate was maintained at above 80% for only the first two weeks and started to decrease from the third week. Biofilm morphology was observed under scanning electron microscope. Before the disinfection, the biofilm was found to be a dense structure and the mixture of a large number of bacteria. After 25 weeks of the disinfection, the biofilm structure appeared to be loose and did not show consistent characteristics of a large number of bacteria retained. Periodic disinfection combined with continuous disinfection using hydrogen peroxide can effectively control contamination in dental unit waterlines. But the cycles of periodic disinfection and the concentration of hydrogen peroxide for continuous disinfection should be further discussed according to the actual clinical situation.

Assessment of Dental Fear and Anxiety in Children Undergoing Nitrous Oxide-Oxygen Inhalation Sedation visiting BPKIHS

Introduction: Dental treatment of children is the most needed service that remains neglected because of a lack of skill to manage dental fear and anxiety (DFA). Both the non-pharmacological and pharmacological behavior management continuum should be followed to treat children. Objective: To assess and compare DFA levels in children before and after dental treatment using nitrous oxide-oxygen inhalation sedation (NOIS), to assess and compare the change in behavior in children undergoing NOIS, and to compare the level of DFA in children undergoing invasive and non-invasive dental treatment. Methods: DFA was measured using the Children's Fear Survey Schedule Dental Subscale (CFSS-DS), Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale (MCDAS), and Facial Image Scale (FIS) before and after the dental treatment under NOIS. The change in children’s behavior during invasive and noninvasive treatment under NOIS was assessed by Frankl Behavior Rating Scale (FBRS). Results: A significant reduction in DFA was seen within each cohort as measured by 3 scales: CFSS-DS, MCDAS, and FIS (P≤0.001). There was also a positive change in behavior of children during the time of dental treatment under NOIS as measured by FBRS. However, there was no significant difference between invasive and non-invasive treatment groups with regard to DFA. Conclusions: Minimal sedation provided by NOIS significantly reduced DFA in children, and there was a positive change in their behavior during the time of treatment. NOIS was effective in decreasing DFA in both invasive and non-invasive dental treatment.

Safety of deep intravenous propofol sedation in the dental treatment of children in the outpatient department

Background/purposeIntravenous sedation with propofol in the dental treatment offers an alternative to inhalation sedation or general anesthesia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and identify risk factors for intraoperative complications. Materials and methodsUncooperative children who could not complete dental treatment under non-pharmacological behavior management or mild-to-moderate sedation in the outpatient pediatric department were selected. Details and time of dental treatment; intraoperative vital signs data, including blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2), end-tidal carbon dioxide, and electrocardiogram; and incidence of intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. ResultsOverall, 344 children were selected, with 342 completing dental treatment. The dental treatment time was 20–155 (median, 85; interquartile range, 70–100) min. The number of treated teeth was at least 1 and at most 13 (median, 6; interquartile range, 5–8). Among 342 children, 35 (10.2%) had their treatment interrupted temporarily due to choking cough. No serious complications occurred; the incidence rate of minor complications was 47/342 (13.7%). Tachycardia was observed in 5/342 (1.5%) cases, oxygen desaturation (SpO2 < 95%) in 18, and hypoxemia (SpO2 ≤ 90%) in 25. The treatment duration was significant longer in cases with than without complications (P < 0.05), and children coughing during treatment were more likely to have complications (P < 0.05). Postoperative restlessness occurred in six children, but there was no vomiting, aspiration, or respiratory obstruction. ConclusionDecreased oxygen saturation is the most common complications. Cough during treatment and longer treatment duration were risk factors for complications.

Validity and reliability of a new instrument for the evaluation of dental collaboration in disabled people

&#x0D; Background: nowadays, oral health in people with disabilities is an important topic. The phsychological and behavioural problems of these people, their difficulties with environmental adaptations and the absence of any traditional communication determine the compliance needed for treatment The aim of this work was to test the validity and reliability of an original questionnaire that could become an instrument assessing the individual features in people with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities at the time of dental treatment.&#x0D; Methods: it was created a questionnaire with standardised answers regarding four specific areas: neuropsychology, emotional-affect, autonomy and environmental resources. The questionnaire was completed by 63 patients from three different institutes (two rehabilitation institutes and an Institute of Dentistry for patients with special needs). To analyse the answers, each item was transformed into a numeric value. A value of 1 was displayed as the minimum while 4 represented full possession of the considered skills. A total of 17 variables were analysed with descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis. Internal consistency reliability was measured using Cronbach’s alpha. Furthermore, an analysis on convergent/discriminant validity was provided.&#x0D; Results: all variables were positively correlated. The most significant were “guidance”, “communication”, “sociability”, “view”, “hearing” and “feeding”. Items like “self-control”, “equanimity”, “problematic behaviour”, “extroversion” and “autonomy” offered vague and less significant information in identifying the patient’s collaboration level. Variables like “evaluation by the compiler about the patient’s collaboration”, “previous dental experiences” and “attendant” were confirmed. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.77 (standardized result), which meet the a priori criterion of 0.90≥alpha≥0.70.&#x0D; Conclusions: the instrument was statistically tested and seems to be adequate to estimate the collaboration level of disabled patients. It is called CLEQ (Collaboration Level Evaluation Questionnaire). Further trials are warranted to confirm its validity and benefits. &#x0D;

Clinical practice guidelines for dental management prior to radiation for head and neck cancer

PurposeLimited evidence exists linking the specific preventative dental care provided prior to radiation therapy (RT) for head and neck cancer to outcomes like osteoradionecrosis (ORN). This study utilized expert consensus to develop tooth-specific dental treatment pathways for head and neck cancer patients prior to radiation. Materials and MethodsDental oncologists from across a single nation were engaged in a Modified Delphi process. Three rounds of questionnaires were performed followed by an in-person meeting. Domains included radiation dose, timing of dental treatment, and treatment of dental caries, periodontal disease and third molars. ResultsThe response rate from the 32 participants between rounds was > 70%. Consensus was reached for all but 4 questions. The radiation dose at which participants would prophylactically remove teeth to prevent ORN was established as 70 Gy in the maxilla and 60 Gy in the mandible. Treatment pathways were developed for maxillary and mandibular anterior/premolar and molar teeth receiving a dose at or above this threshold. Risk factors were established for carious, periodontally involved and third molar teeth. In general, periodontally involved teeth and mandibular molars were most frequently recommended for extraction. Only symptomatic third molars were recommended for extraction when adequate healing time was available prior to commencement of RT. ConclusionTooth-level clinical practice guidelines were developed using expert consensus via the modified Delphi process. The treatment pathways developed in this study will be prospectively tested to evaluate the outcomes associated with tooth-specific dental treatments.

Comparison of dental treatment time based on the clinician's years of clinical experience

Comparison of dental treatment time based on the clinician's years of clinical experience

Comparative analysis of oral cavity sanation in children under general anesthesia and inhalation anesthesia with nitrogen oxide

The aim of this study was to carry out a comparative analysis of the volume of dental intervention under conditions of combined endotracheal anesthesia and inhalation anesthesia of nitrous oxide in pediatric dentistry.Materials and methods. Within the framework of this study, the results of oral cavity sanitation were analyzed in 300 patients aged 2 to 5 years. The median age was 3.7 years. The participants were divided into 2 equal samples: 150 patients underwent sanitation under general anesthesia (anesthesia group), 150 under conditions of inhalation anesthesia of nitrous oxide (sedation group). In the sedation group, there were 83 (55.3%) boys and 67 (44.7%) girls, in the anesthesia group – 89 participants (59.3%) were male, and 61 (40.7%) were female. The patients included in this study had comparable dental status. Also, when performing dental interventions in both groups, according to indications, local anesthesia was performed: children under 4 years old – lidocaine, children over 4 years old – articaine.Results. Based on the results of the analysis of the data obtained, it was found that the number of visits required for full-fledged dental treatment was statistically significantly lower in the anesthesia group compared to the sedation group: thus, all patients who underwent combined endotracheal anesthesia required only one visit to the clinic for necessary treatment. But it was also found that the total time of dental treatment differed depending on the anesthetic aid used: in the anesthesia group, it usually took from 1 to 2 hours (in 98% of patients), during this time a complete sanitation of the oral cavity was carried out, and in the sedation group varied more widely, with half of the patients in the range from 30 minutes to 1 hour (14% and 36.7% of children, respectively), but the number of visits for complete oral cavity sanitation increased to 8.Conclusions. In the present work, it was revealed that dental treatment under general anesthesia in children was more effective than the same treatment under conditions of inhalation anesthesia of nitrous oxide with preserved consciousness. The use of combined endotracheal anesthesia allows to reduce the number of visits to the clinic and avoid refusals from further dental treatment. General anesthesia was also more effective than sedation in terms of the number of cured teeth with caries, chronic pulpitis and extracted teeth. Nitrous oxide inhalation anesthesia provides partial retention of consciousness, is more manageable and better tolerated by children.

Prevalence of dental anxiety in children and adolescents globally: A systematic review with meta-analyses.

Dental anxiety (DA) negatively impacts oral health-related quality of life, and patients with DA usually require more dental treatment time. To describe the global prevalence of DA in children and adolescents and to examine the influence of individual factors (age, sex, and caries experience) and variables related to DA measurement on pooled prevalence. Systematic review with meta-analyses of observational studies published between 1985 and 2020 (PROSPERO CRD42014013879). Searches yielded 1207 unique records; 224 full-text articles were screened, and 50 studies were used in the qualitative and quantitative synthesis. No study was considered as having high methodological quality according to 'The Joanna Briggs Institute assessment tool'. Overall pooled DA prevalence was 23.9% (95% CI 20.4, 27.3). Pooled prevalence in preschoolers, schoolchildren, and adolescents was as follows: 36.5% (95% CI 23.8, 49.2), 25.8% (95% CI 19.5, 32.1), and 13.3% (95% CI 9.5, 17.0), respectively. DA was significantly more prevalent in preschool children (one study) and schoolchildren (two studies) with caries experience and in female adolescents (one study). The scale used for DA assessment was shown to influence pooled prevalence in preschoolers and adolescents. DA is a frequent problem in 3- to 18-year-olds worldwide, more prevalent in schoolchildren and preschool children than in adolescents.

Analysis of Treatment Outcome Associated with Pre-Operative Diagnostic Accuracy Changes and Dental Treatment Timing in Odontogenic Sinusitis Involving Unilateral Maxillary Sinus

Background and Objectives Unilateral sinusitis is caused by various factors. Odontogenic sinusitis; especially, is different from non-odontogenic sinusitis in clinical features and prognosis. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prognosis of odontogenic sinusitis in accordance with the changes in diagnostic accuracy over time and the timing of dental treatment. Subjects and Method 195 patients who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery for unilateral sinusitis within the interval from 2006 to 2017 were reviewed to analyze the etiologies and clinical characteristics. Preoperative CT was assessed to identify patients who had not been diagnosed with odontogenic sinusitis in the past. In the unilateral bacterial sinusitis, we identified changes in incidence, diagnostic accuracy, and outcome in the odontogenic sinusitis. We divided odontogenic sinusitis patients into three groups: preoperative and intraoperative dental treatment group, postoperative dental treatment group, and untreated group. Then we analyzed the difference in prognosis of these three groups. Results The total number of patients with odontogenic sinusitis was 86 (44%), which accounted for about 36% until 2011, but increased to about 48% after 2013. From 2006 to 2011, there were 15 cases of missed diagnosis of odontogenic sinusitis, but there was 1 case in 2012 and no cases since 2013. The treatment outcome of unilateral bacterial sinusitis was significantly increased from 84.1% before 2011 to 96% after 2012. The success rate was 97.1% in the case of accurate diagnosis of odontogenic sinusitis, but the success rate was 43.8% in case of missed diagnosis. In odontogenic sinusitis, the success rate was low when dental treatment was not performed. However, there was no difference in success rate among different dental treatment timings. Conclusion The incidence of odontogenic sinusitis has steadily increased over the last decade. The prognosis has been improved by appropriate treatment under accurate diagnosis through preoperative examination and radiological evaluation. There was no difference in the prognosis of odontogenic sinusitis according to the dental treatment time. Therefore, it is a good choice for tooth preservation to have an endoscopic sinus surgery first and then decide the dental treatment timing. Key words: Chronic rhinosinusitis ㆍ Odontogenic sinusitis ㆍ Treatment strategy

The association between dental therapy timelines and osteoradionecrosis: a nationwide population-based cohort study.

The study aimed to investigate the timeline association with specific dental therapy and osteoradionecrosis (ORN) in oral cancer patients. A total of 7394 oral cancer patients, including 198 ORN subjects, were retrieved from a Longitudinal Health Insurance Database for Catastrophic Illness Patients of Taiwan and were analyzed with the Cox proportional hazard regression to compare the ORN risk of individual dental treatments under different dental treatments. The initial dental treatment time significantly impacted on the risk of ORN in oral cancer patients (P<0.05). Pre-radiotherapy endodontic treatment and post-radiotherapy scaling or subgingival curettage increased ORN prevalence (hazard ratio [HR], 2.28 and 1.77, respectively). Endodontic treatment within 2 weeks to 1 month prior to radiotherapy increased the ORN risk by 5.83-fold. Dental scaling or subgingival curettage initialized from three to 6 months post-radiotherapy raised the ORN prevalence by 2.2-fold. Exodontia initialized within 2 weeks before radiotherapy (HR=1.49) or 1 to 3 months after radiotherapy (HR=2.63) greatly increased ORN prevalence. To perform oral surgery from 3 months pre-radiotherapy to 6 months after radiotherapy increased the 1.85-fold ORN risk. The chemotherapy combined oral surgery increased the ORN prevalence by 2.55-fold. Timing of dental treatment, including pre-radiotherapy endodontic treatment, post-radiotherapy scaling or subgingival curettage, and oral surgery or exodontia before and after radiotherapy, could closely relate to ORN development in oral cancer patients. Choosing right time to perform appropriate dental treatment could effectively reduce oral infection and ORN risk.

History of periodontal treatment and risk for intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)

BackgroundTo explore the hypothesis that maternal periodontitis is associated with increased risk for Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR), we examined the risk of IUGR in relation to periodontal treatment before, during and after pregnancy.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of insurance claims data from 2009 to 2012 for women who delivered a singleton live birth (n = 32,168). IUGR was examined as a function of type and timing of dental treatment, adjusting for potential confounders in logistic regression. Sensitivity analysis evaluated the potential effects of unmeasured confounding.ResultsWomen who received periodontal treatment after delivery, indicating the presence of untreated periodontal disease during pregnancy, had significantly higher odds of IUGR compared to women who received no periodontal treatment (adjusted OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.2, 1.8).ConclusionsPeriodontal treatment provided in the immediate postpartum period, a proxy for periodontitis during gestation, was associated with increased risk of IUGR.

A case in which an elderly patient who did not comply with his course of medication suffered an episode of chest pain at the time of dental treatment

A case in which an elderly patient who did not comply with his course of medication suffered an episode of chest pain at the time of dental treatment

A Case of a Patient with Idiopathic Ventricular Fibrillation Who Decided at the Time of Dental Treatment to Undergo Surgery of an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator

A Case of a Patient with Idiopathic Ventricular Fibrillation Who Decided at the Time of Dental Treatment to Undergo Surgery of an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator

장애유형별 치과진료시 소요시간에 관한 비교연구

The objective of this study was to confirm the validity of classification of dental disability by measuring the dental treatment time required for disabled patients and identify the disability type that requires more of chair time. As a result of measuring a total of 123 patients who were admitted to the Seoul dental hospital for the disabled on Oct. 2014, I was able to make the following conclusions: 1. For dental counseling and check-up, the chair time did not show significant differences between the different types of disability. 2. For periodontal treatment, restorative treatment, root canal treatment, and surgical treatment, the difference of the chair time for dentally disabled patients was significantly longer than that of non-dentally disabled patients. 3. The difference in the total chair time for prosthetic treatment was statistically insignificant. However, each of the prosthetic treatment steps did show statistically significant differences. [J Korean Dis Oral Health Vol.10, No.2: 78-83, December 2014]

A Survey of the Optimal Time of Dental Treatment for the Elderly

A Survey of the Optimal Time of Dental Treatment for the Elderly

The Canine Fossa Puncture Technique in Chronic Odontogenic Maxillary Sinusitis

Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) including middle meatus antrostomy (MMA) has been advocated as the technique of choice in the treatment of maxillary chronic odontogenic sinusitis (COS). However, recently the endoscopic canine fossa puncture (CFP) has been proposed as an alternative surgical technique of accessing the entire antrum when pathology is limited only to the maxillary sinus. This study was designed to assess the outcomes of the CFP approach versus ESS (comprising MMA) in the management of COS. A prospective study was performed on patients with COS produced by odontogenic infections (periapical granulomas or small inflammatory cysts of the molars or bicuspids), oroantral fistula (OAF), large odontogenic cysts, and maxillary foreign bodies (dental fillings, teeth roots, and implants). Patients were randomly allocated into two groups: 56 patients underwent CFP and in 54 patients the maxillary sinus was approached through MMA. After a mean follow-up of 18.5 months, recurrence rates were compared between the two groups. During the follow-up period, OAF recurred in 10 patients: 4 in the MMA group (7.4%) and 6 in the CFP group (10.7%). The difference is not statistically significant (p = 0.39, Fisher exact test). In patients with COS a conservative approach with avoidance of endonasal surgery is suggested: in COS without a fistula, CFP at the time of dental treatment will be sufficient. In OAF cases, CFP yielded similar results with MMA. Nevertheless, additional study with a larger sample and a longer follow-up is required to validate these results.

Prevalence of periodontitis and optimal timing of dental treatment in patients undergoing heart valve surgery

We investigated the prevalence, risk factors, and optimal timing of treatment for advanced periodontitis in patients undergoing elective heart valve surgery. Dental examinations were given to 209 patients (aged 65 ± 10 years) scheduled for valve surgery. Patients with no or mild periodontitis were assigned as controls (n = 105). Patients with advanced periodontitis underwent tooth extraction and curettage (n = 104), 68 of whom underwent tooth extraction within two weeks (short wait) and 36 of whom underwent extraction longer than two weeks, before surgery. The three groups (control, short, and long wait) were similar in age, gender, diseased valve, and type of surgery received. The average number of teeth extracted was 2.3 ± 2.3. In both univariate and multivariate analysis, risk factors for advanced periodontitis were history of smoking and heart failure. No complications arose from the extractions. Length of postoperative hospital stay, intrafebrile days, white blood cell count and serum C-reactive protein (assessed at postoperative days 1, 3 and 7) were similar among the three groups. During the mean follow-up period of 60 ± 16 months, no patient developed prosthetic valve endocarditis, and there were no postoperative deaths. In conclusion, we found no evidence that receipt and timing of dental treatment affected surgical success rates and postoperative course.

Dental Treatment under General Anesthesia in Healthy and Medically Compromised/Developmentally Disabled Children: A Comparative Study

To compare the type, number of procedures and working time of dental treatment provided under dental general anesthesia (DGA) in healthy and medically compromised/developmentally disabled children (MCDD children). This cross-sectional prospective study involved 80 children divided into two groups of 40 children each. Group 1 consisted of healthy and Group 2 consisted of MCDD children. Healthy children needed more working time than MCDD children, the means being 161 +/- 7.9 and 84 +/- 5.7 minutes, respectively (P = 0.0001). Operative dentistry and endodontic treatments showed a significant statistical difference (P = 0.0001). The means of procedures were 17 +/- 5.0 for healthy children and 11 +/- 4.8 for MCDD children (P = 0.0001). Healthy children needed more extensive dental treatment than MCDD children under DGA. The information from this sample of Mexican children could be used as reference for determining trends both within a facility as well as in comparing facilities in cross-population studies.

Dental Care for Physically or Mentally Challenged at Public Dental Clinics

Recently, local administration bureaus have established a number of dental clinics and centers for the physically or mentally challenged (PMC) in collaboration with local dental associations. The aim of this study was to investigate dental treatment and general supportive care for the PMC in dental clinics in Tokyo. A dental clinic for the PMC located in northwestern Tokyo in a district with a population of about 680,000 was selected for the study. The variables studied based on dental records included total number of patients, type of disability, medical history, systemic condition, age, treatment regimen and type of general supportive care. The largest group of new patients was under 9 years of age. The highest total number of patients visiting the clinic belonged to the 60-69-year-olds group and the 70-79-year-olds group. We also investigated type of disability in patients treated under intravenous sedation at time of dental treatment. The most common condition was dementia resulting from Alzheimer's disease (42.74%), autism, cerebral palsy or mental retardation, in descending order. The percentage of patients referred from other medical institutions was 17.4%, including those from private dental clinics and Dental University Hospitals. Type of disability in patients transferred from other medical institutions included developmental disorders (28.2%), senile defects (26.9%), chronic and psychiatric diseases (44.9%). The number of patients who located and visited the clinic by themselves greatly exceeded the number transferred by request. This suggests that a permanent system should be put in place offering public specialized dental clinics where the PMC many obtain treatment.