“Union45 also has many mobile teams, whose anesthetists and nurses travel throughout Finland to treat patients in the country’s central hospitals, health centers and private dental clinics.” Numminen adds that children need general anesthesia when their oral health requires extensive procedures and long treatment times. This approach ensures painless and effective care.
He says, “In general, dental care under general anesthesia is recommended when a child’s oral health treatment requires more than four visits. General anesthesia may also be required for children with special needs, such as those on the autism spectrum, which can make cooperation in the dental clinic difficult.”
Many adult patients also require general anesthesia for dental procedures. Up to 10% of adults suffer from severe dental phobia, leading to neglect of oral health.3 However, access to procedures under general anesthesia for adults is often hampered by long waiting lists in public dental services and high costs in the private sector, leaving many without needed care and exacerbating oral health problems.
Numminen advises that dental care under general anesthesia should be planned before the patient’s oral condition becomes serious to avoid extractions and keep costs reasonable.
Good oral health has wider implications than a beautiful smile. Maintaining oral health is vital to overall well-being, as poor oral health has been linked to serious illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and even some types of cancer.4
“Dental phobia is a real problem that doesn’t just go away with a conversation. Dental treatments under general anesthesia can be a good option, especially for some young adults,” notes Numminen.
Children’s oral health concerns
Numminen expressed concern about the increasing number of children requiring dental care under general anesthesia in Finland, as evidenced by the longer waiting times in the Helsinki and Uusimaa (HUS) and Pirkanmaa hospital districts.
“The current state of children’s and adolescents’ teeth has a direct impact on the frequency of dental care under general anaesthesia,” he said.
Access to such care in the public sector can take months, which is why the private dental hospital Unioni45 receives a large volume of patients. “At best, our clinic has four dentists working every day, each treating four patients per shift. Pediatric dental care in our clinic is always provided by a dentist specialized in pediatric patients, as dental care for children is often demanding and requires special expertise,” explains Numminen.
Deteriorating oral health among children and adolescents is not just a Finnish problem. For example, the British Oral Health Foundation has called for urgent action to improve children’s oral health, noting that many children under 19 require tooth extractions under general anesthesia due to poor dental health. There is also an over-reliance on the extraction of primary teeth in young children, which can damage permanent teeth in the long run.5
Numminen notes that children’s dental health in Finland is very polarized. Although pediatric oral health is generally good according to caries indicators, the situation varies greatly from family to family. Poor oral health is often evident in families struggling with other life challenges, such as mental health problems and substance abuse.
Another notable trend in the Nordic country is the increasing need for dental sedation among immigrant families.6 Numminen says, “About 80% of the children we treat come from immigrant families. Although these children are otherwise healthy and well cared for, their dental condition is often very concerning. Contributing factors include poor oral hygiene and dietary changes, such as switching to a high-carbohydrate Finnish diet, which can be hard on oral health. In addition, fluoride and xylitol, which are common in Finland, may be unknown to many immigrants.”
Inspiration for improved oral self-care
Numminen is pleased to note that many young adult patients are motivated to improve their oral hygiene after successful dental treatment under general anaesthesia. About 70% of private patients continue active dental care during a two-year follow-up period, he says.
“Successful sedation treatment motivates patients to take more responsibility for their oral health. This decision may also be influenced by cost considerations. Those who have undergone extensive dental treatment under general anesthesia usually return to regular dental care,” continues Numminen.
He suggests that this group of patients may be particularly motivated to try a light-activated antibacterial treatment (Lumoral) as part of their daily oral hygiene routine. The Lumoral method, developed by Finnish scientists, is not yet available in the United States.
As thorough self-care is essential to maintaining oral health, Numminen’s dental clinic is collaborating with the Finnish health technology company Koite Health Ltd. As part of this collaboration, the hospital offers private dental patients under sedation the antibacterial method to enhance their oral self-care routine.
This treatment is an excellent adjunct for patients who require enhanced oral self-care following sedation dental procedures. “These patients may have numerous bacterial problems in their mouths or may be worried about visiting the dentist and hygienist. Adding Lumoral treatment to your regular oral hygiene routine can help avoid the need for major dental procedures in the future,” says Numminen.
Selective action protects healthy oral bacteria
A key advantage of this antibacterial method is its selectivity. Lumoral primarily targets harmful oral bacteria, unlike other antimicrobial mouthwashes such as chlorhexidine. Lumorinse mouthwash, an integral therapeutic ingredient, is a powerful plaque-binding mouthwash that does not affect the normal oral flora even with prolonged use. The antibacterial effect is achieved through the interaction between aPDT dual light and the pigment in the mouthwash that binds locally to the plaque, preventing gum inflammation and eliminating unhealthy bacteria that cause cavities while supporting healthy flora.7,8
