The restrictions imposed over the past three years due to COVID-19 have significantly impacted access to dental care, particularly for procedures based on patient needs. One of the main challenges was the postponement of elective surgeries, which led to an increase in the number of pediatric dental cases requiring general anesthesia (GA). In specific situations, SDF has proven to be a highly effective approach to managing dental caries in children and has received approval from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). This study seeks to identify pediatric patients initially scheduled for treatment under GA who may be candidates for alternative treatment methods. In addition, it explores parental perspectives on the use of SDF as a substitute for GA to help address the growing demand for pediatric GA procedures following the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings suggest that the pandemic has placed immense pressure on the dentistry field, as the suspension of elective services had a detrimental effect on overall oral health. While teledentistry serves as a valuable tool for initial assessments and patient triage, it cannot completely replace in-person dental care.
