Access to deep sedation and general anaesthesia services for dental patients: A survey of Ontario patients

Background: Many patients require deep sedation or general anaesthesia (DS/GA) in order to undergo dental treatment, due to fear, anxiety, age, disability, medical illness or extensive treatment. Objectives: To assess the barriers to access to DS/GA as identified by Ontario dental patients. Methods: A mail-out survey of Ontario patients who received DS/GA over the past two years was conducted. Descriptive and bivariate analyses, and logistic regression were performed. Results: With a response rate of 36%, the most frequently reported barriers to access to DS/GA were added cost of DS/GA, lack of private and public insurance funding for these services, long wait times, and lack of dentists available to provide DS/GA. Conclusions: Access to DS/GA for dental treatment in Ontario is limited by lack of insurance and government funding for these services, as well as decreased availability of providers of DS/GA.M.Sc