The Residency Levels Effect on Pediatric Dental Rehabilitation Operation Time

Abstract

Abstract Background General anesthesia (GA) is the most frequently used pharmacological intervention in pediatric dental care. Postgraduate pediatric dental residents must perform a variety of pediatric dental rehabilitation procedures under GA at different levels of training. An adequate operation time (OT) decreases morbidity risk and improves hospital time utilization efficiency. The aim of the study is to assess the effect of pediatric dental resident training level on OT for pediatric dental rehabilitation procedures under GA. Methods A cross-sectional study of data from all pediatric dental rehabilitation procedures that were performed under GA by pediatric dental residents at KAMC-Jeddah from 2015 to 2022 was conducted. The primary outcome was OT, and the predictive variable was resident training levels. A linear regression analysis was used to compare OT between procedures performed by junior (years 1–2) or senior (years 3–4) trainees, adjusting for patient and operative factors. Results A total of 1007 pediatric dental rehabilitation cases were performed under GA by junior (25%) and senior (65%) residents. The univariant analysis indicated that senior residents had significantly longer OTs (13 minutes) than junior residents. However, after considering significant variables, the linear regression analysis showed that senior residents had a significantly shorter OT and performed significantly more dental procedures than junior residents. Senior residents took significantly more radiographs and performed significantly more primary pulp therapies and multisurface anterior colored restorations under GA than junior residents. Conclusions The OT for pediatric dental rehabilitation procedures under GA is associated with resident training level. The total operation time was significantly longer based on procedure number, type, and resident level. This finding highlights the importance of assigning procedures that require GA to residents based on their level and the complexity of the case. Additionally, it evaluates residents’ competency development and assesses the impact of residency training programs on hospital efficiency. Trial registration: The KAIMRC Internal Review Board (IRB/1514/22) registered this cross-sectional chart review.