Search

The objective of this review was to consider compilation of evidence from literature and its interpretation. Evidence-based dentistry during its implementation has sometimes emphasized randomized clinical trials with exclusion of all other evidence. Systematic reviews must compile evidence from all study types, with the collected evidence processed through the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation system prior to their application in clinical decision-making. Evidence-based clinical practice should be based upon transparently reported evidence from all study types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author argues that new pediatric dentists should consider variations in state- based numbers of U.S. children or births when determining their state or region for practice location. Topics include an increase in the number of U.S. pediatric dentists despite a decline in U.S. birth rates and number of children as of 2017 according to the U.S. Census, a shift in the proportion of medical care for U.S. children provided by pediatricians versus family physicians, and an improvement in access to dental care in the U.S. for children. accessibility

Background Singapore is unique in that it is a 100% urban community with majority of the population living in a homogeneous physical environment. She, however, has diverse ethnicities and cultures as such; there may be caries risk factors that are unique to this population. Aim The aims were to assess the oral health of preschool children and to identify the associated caries risk factors. Design An oral examination and a questionnaire were completed for each consenting child-parent pair. Results One hundred and ninety children (mean age: 36.3 ± 6.9 months) were recruited from six community medical clinics. Ninety-two children (48.4%) were caries active. The mean d123t and d123s scores were 2.2 ± 3.3 and 3.0 ± 5.6, respectively. Higher plaque scores were significantly ( P < 0.0005) associated with all measures of decay (presence of decay, dt, ds). The risk factors for severity of decay (i.e., dt and ds) include child's age, breastfeeding duration, and parents' ability to withhold cariogenic snacks from their child. Conclusions The high caries rate suggests that current preventive methods to reduce caries in Singapore may have reached their maximum effectiveness, and other risk factors such as child's race, and dietary and breastfeeding habits need to be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study was to investigate various aspects of evidence-based dental prophylaxis education in postdoctoral pediatric dentistry training programs in the United States. An anonymous nationwide postal survey of fifty-two postdoctoral pediatric dentistry program directors was conducted in September 2001. The survey had a response rate of 75 percent with all geographic regions of the nation represented and with a preponderance of university-based programs (62 percent). Most of the training programs (74 percent) routinely recommended dental prophylaxis for all recall patients. The proportion of programs that recommended dental prophylaxis for the following indications were: plaque, stain and/or calculus removal--97 percent; caries prevention--59 percent; prior to topical fluoride application--67 percent; prior to sealant application--62 percent; and for behavioral modification--77 percent. Most training programs (77 percent) defined dental prophylaxis as both rubber cup pumice prophylaxis and toothbrush prophylaxis. However, only one-half of the training programs (51 percent) had modified their teaching to substitute toothbrush prophylaxis in lieu of rubber cup pumice prophylaxis. In conclusion, only one half of postdoctoral pediatric dentistry training programs in the United States teach evidence-based practice of dental prophylaxis for recall patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on dental surveys of Connecticut-based dentists, conducted to know their ranking of Medicaid reimbursement rates for assessing the acceptable levels of Medicaid payment resulting in increased participation. It further states that both pediatric and general dentists were approached to prepare an index showing their ranking of Medicaid reimbursement rates. It suggests that this index is a useful measure for increasing the dentists' participation level.

The article presents a study to assess the seminal forces causing changes in contemporary pediatric dental practice. The number of pediatric graduate declined by 20 percent from 179 in 1975 to 142 in 1990. There has been a dramatic increase in the number of female pediatric dentists among new practitioners.

Non-restorative caries treatment (NRCT) has been mentioned as a treatment option for occluso-proximal caries lesions into dentin of primary molars. The NRCT approach for occluso-proximal caries lesions in primary molars was considered from an ethical perspective. In summary, it is not ethical to withhold restorative dental care from a child with occluso-proximal caries lesions into dentin of primary molars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author argues that a failure on the part of the dental profession to augment standards established by the group the Commission on Dental Accreditations (CODA) concerning preparedness for complex restorative procedures, particularly pulp therapy and stainless steel crowns, in pediatric dentistry required a development of guidelines, particularly by targeting select dental students with an interest in the subject to take elective courses in complex restorative procedures.

Literature review found only one longitudinal clinical study on the use of resin infiltration technique for proximal carious lesions in primary molars. The findings were compared with literature regarding both conventional molar restorations and remineralization. It was concluded that based on the limited available evidence, resin infiltration technique should be used with caution for managing proximal carious lesions in primary molars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A four-year-old male presented with right-sided facial swelling near the angle of the mandible. Despite the presence of multiple dental carious lesions, the cervical lymphadenopathy did not appear to be of dental origin. Otolaryngology referral with subsequent excision of the affected lymph nodes confirmed the cervical lymphadenopathy to be due to a Mycobocterium ovium intracellulare infection. A two-year follow-up showed successful resolution of the condition. The purpose of the present report was to describe a case with multiple dental carious lesions and cervical lymphadenopathy, with the latter attributed to a nondental etiology. A differential diagnosis of nondentol etiologies of cervical lymphadenopathy in young children is described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To survey pediatric dentists in the United States regarding adverse events during dental care for children. Methods: A self-administered, anonymous online survey was sent to American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry members (N equals 6,327) using REDCap ® software (between October and December 2019). The questionnaire (all items with radio-button numerical categories) included five items surveying pediatric adverse event occurrence and seven demographic items. Annualized occurrences of adverse events in US pediatric dental practices were extrapolated from the data collected. Results: The survey response was 11 percent (n equals 704), with 91 percent of respondents reporting that at least one child experienced an adverse event during dental treatment. The two most prevalent adverse events, each reported by 82 percent of respondents, were self-inflicted trauma to soft tissues after local anesthesia and nausea and vomiting, with annualized estimates of 7,816 and 7,003, respectively. Major adverse events (respiratory depression, cardiovascular depression, neurological damage, death) during pediatric dental treatment were reported by 14 percent of respondents (annualized estimate equals 443). "Wrong" errors (wrong tooth/wrong procedure/wrong patient) were reported by 24 percent of respondents (annualized estimate equals 600). Conclusions: Adverse events during pediatric dental care are of noticeable concern with some (wrong tooth/wrong procedure/wrong patient errors) that can be procedurally mitigated.