The burden of dental care in Amelogenesis Imperfecta (AI) has not been well described. This condition results in weak, discoloured, and often sensitive teeth. Specialist paediatric care is available for AI patients in the UK, but treatment protocols and care provided are inconsistent.The aim of this study was therefore to analyse the provision of treatment and burden of care for children and families with AI across four Paediatric Dentistry centres in the UK.
MethodsA retrospective evaluation of AI patient clinical records across four UK consultant-led Paediatric Dentistry centres was completed. Frequency and duration of care were recorded along with treatment and experience of inhalation sedation, local and general anaesthetic.
ResultsIn total, 138 records were available for analysis. The average patient age at first referral was 7.7 years (range 1-16 years) and families travelled an average 21.8 miles per appointment (range 0.2-286 miles). Patients attended on average 4.5 appointments per year for 5.8 years. In total, 65.2% had experience of local anaesthetic, 27.5% inhalation sedation and 31.9% general anaesthetic. Dental treatment including restorations and extractions were commonly required on multiple teeth per patient.
ConclusionAI carries a high burden of specialist dental care to patients and families. Specialist centres are required to provide longitudinal, comprehensive care.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.