Dental trauma is a rare event but a considerable worry to the anesthesiologist as teeth are especially vulnerable to damage during general anesthesia with an endotracheal intubation.

In this prospective study, 1,500 patients scheduled for elective surgery that required general anesthesia during the period of May 2006-August 2007 were included. The modified Mallampati test (MMT), and upper lip bite test (ULBT) for predicting difficult intubation by anesthesiologists and a dental check performed by a dental surgeon were assessed preoperatively. Anesthetic services were performed by six residents at each level of training (from resident first grade to resident third grade) and an examination to identify dental damage was performed by a dental surgeon postoperatively.

In predictive values for screening tests to predict the occurrence of dental injury, CBT (a test that combined the two screening tests) was higher than ULBT and MMT for specificity, positive predictive value, and accuracy. The incidence of dental trauma among the levels of resident training was not significantly different.

CBT, among the screening tests for predicting difficult intubation, will be helpful in the prediction of dental injury. The various levels of training of residents did not affect the incidence of dental injury during general anesthesia.