A growing issue

Severe dental problems in young children have increased dramatically in many Western countries, including Finland. The Nordic country’s largest healthcare provider, HUS Helsinki University Hospital, receives about 150 new referrals for paediatric dental care under general anaesthesia every month. This number has increased significantly compared to pre-pandemic years, according to Heikki Alapulli, deputy chief dental officer at HUS.

Last year, HUS Helsinki University Hospital received more than 2,000 referrals for paediatric (0-16 years) dental care under general anaesthesia. Heikki said, “By the time a child’s teeth require sedation for treatment, the damage in the mouth is already extensive, often requiring the extraction of several teeth.”