Socio-ecological factors associated with returning for post-operative care after dental treatment under general anesthesia.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine if specific variables in a theorized socio-ecological model are associated with returning for post-operative care after dental treatment under general anesthesia.

Methods: A 26 item cross-sectional survey assessing socio-ecological variables of 100 families of patients receiving dental treatment under general anesthesia was conducted. Chi-square tests and logistic regressions were used to investigate associations between returning for post-operative care with child, family, clinic and environmental variables described in the proposed socio-ecological model.

Results: Forty-seven percent of patients returned for post-operative care. Children without a dental home had lower odds of returning than children referred from a continuous source of care. Children with an ASA II/III classification had lower odds of returning for post-operative care than children who were ASA I.

Conclusions: One child level and one environmental level variable in the theorized socio-ecological model had an impact on whether patients returned for post-operative care after dental treatment under general anesthesia. Further investigation of socio-ecological variables influencing dental health behaviors is needed.