If a general practitioner cannot handle a child due to lack of cooperation, what is the best alternative approach?

Referring the child to a pedodontist is the most appropriate approach when a general practitioner encounters difficulties in managing a child's behavior during treatment. Pedodontists are specialists in pediatric dentistry and are specifically trained to handle a wide range of behavioral issues and anxieties that children might present in a dental setting.

These specialists employ various techniques tailored to children's needs, including child-friendly communication strategies and environments that make dental visits less intimidating. This referral not only ensures that the child receives appropriate care but also provides an opportunity for the child to experience dentistry in a manner suited to their developmental level and emotional state.

Other methods, such as sending the child home or attempting to manage without referral, do not address the underlying issues of cooperation and may prolong the child's anxiety or reluctance towards dental care. Scheduling a session under general anesthesia involves additional risks and is usually considered only in specific and more severe scenarios, making it an less suitable immediate alternative. Thus, referral to a pedodontist is the best course of action to ensure the child receives effective and compassionate dental care.