Faculty Bibliography

BACKGROUND:Recent understanding of pulp biology has shifted treatment paradigms toward preservation-based approaches. Traditional diagnostic terminology and treatment protocols require updating to align with current evidence supporting the pulp's healing capacity. AIM/OBJECTIVE:Sixteen international specialists in pediatric dentistry and endodontics convened at the 3rd IAPD Summit in Porto, Portugal (November 2024) to develop consensus-based recommendations on pulp therapies in primary and permanent teeth. METHODS:Following a structured three-phase approach, experts conducted systematic literature reviews and participated in Delphi surveys using a 7-point Likert scale. Recommendations achieving > 70% consensus were categorized as strong (based on RCTs/systematic reviews), conditional (observational studies), or consensus-based statements (expert opinion). RESULTS:Thirty-eight evidence-based recommendations were developed across four key areas: pulp inflammation and diagnosis, caries excavation, management of pulpitis in primary and permanent teeth, and traumatic dental injuries. Key findings emphasized selective caries removal over complete excavation, calcium silicate cements as preferred materials for vital pulp therapy, and conservative approaches for managing irreversible pulpitis. Decision trees were created to support clinical implementation. CONCLUSIONS:These consensus recommendations provide evidence-based guidance for managing pulpal diseases using minimally invasive, biologically driven tiered approaches that prioritize pulp preservation in both primary and permanent teeth.

BACKGROUND:Pain and anxiety can be considerable obstacles while treating paediatric dental patients. Moderate sedation is needed to treat uncooperative patients. AIM/OBJECTIVE:This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of buccal administration of dexmedetomidine-ketamine combination versus dexmedetomidine. DESIGN/METHODS:Fifty-six uncooperative children were randomly assigned into two groups: Group I received buccal dexmedetomidine (2 μg/kg) and ketamine (2 mg/kg) (DEX-KET), whereas Group II received buccal dexmedetomidine (4 μg/kg) (DEX). The effects of drugs were evaluated based on changes in vital signs, onset and duration of sedation, sedation level, analgesia, ease of treatment and procedural adverse effects. RESULTS:There were no significant differences in vital signs or sedation onset between the two groups. DEX-KET group showed shorter recovery time than DEX group (p < .0001). There were no statistically significant differences between both groups regarding sedation level at optimum sedation and during operative procedure (p = .064, p = .069 respectively). The ease of treatment was significantly better in DEX-KET group than in DEX group (p = .048). Procedural side effects and analgesic effects of the sedative drugs were comparable between both groups. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:The combination of dexmedetomidine and ketamine delivered buccally provided a better method of delivering care to uncooperative children with more rapid recovery than dexmedetomidine.

PURPOSE/UNASSIGNED:The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using an electronic note template to evaluate and record caries arrest from the application of 38% Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) at the New York University College of Dentistry Pediatric Clinic (NYUCD-PD). The study evaluated adherence to its use and explored barriers and alternatives to document this procedure among the post-doctoral residents. METHODS/UNASSIGNED:A template was designed to collect baseline characteristics of treated teeth, application methods, and caries arrest at subsequent visits. The template was implemented among 26 post-graduate students on October 31, 2023. A retrospective chart review was conducted in March 31, 2025 to evaluate utilization of the template and extracted data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The residents' feedback was collected during two focus-group sessions and analyzed qualitatively to assess their understanding of the importance of documentation, identify barriers to utilization of the template, and explore other alternatives for documentation. RESULTS/UNASSIGNED:392 visit encounters on 250 patients were analyzed. Template utilization increased with time from graduated PGY-2 residents to current residents, but it was not universal or uniform. Qualitative analysis revealed that residents fully understand the importance of accurate record keeping, and the template's intended advantages. However, barriers for utilization like time constraints, difficulties when reporting multiple lesions in our complex patient population, and its accessibility within the system, limit their capabilities to comply. CONCLUSION/UNASSIGNED:Although a standardized electronic template can be an effective method of evaluating and documenting caries arrest in SDF-treated teeth, compliance with its use at every encounter is difficult in a hectic university clinic that treats very young children. Further investigation is required to overcome barriers for its use, and to test additional strategies that could be feasible in a dental educational setting.

Dental caries is a widespread oral health issue in Asia, affecting an estimated 30% to 90% of children and adults. Many caries cases remain untreated, resulting in pain and infection. In response, the Asian Academy of Preventive Dentistry (AAPD) emphasises comprehensive caries management and organised a fluoride workshop at the 15th International Conference of the AAPD in 2023. The AAPD invited a group of experts to form a fluoride working group to review existing literature and develop fluoride recommendations for stakeholders across Asian countries and regions. The working group assessed caries risk and identified commonly used topical fluoride products for home care, professional, and community settings in Asia. The working group concluded that fluoride is a safe and highly effective strategy to reduce caries prevalence and incidence. The working group provided key recommendations based on successful regional caries management practices: (1) use topical fluoride for prevention and control of dental caries; (2) encourage the use of fluoride toothpaste with a concentration of at least 1,000 ppm for effective caries reduction; (3) advise a 0.05% fluoride mouth rinse as soon as children can spit it out to prevent early childhood caries; (4) deliver professionally administered fluoride, such as 5% sodium fluoride varnish, 2% fluoride gel, or 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride preparations, to decrease dental caries in at-risk individuals; and (5) apply 38% silver diamine fluoride to arrest cavitated caries. These recommendations aim to help practitioners, health care providers, and parents/caregivers make informed decisions about fluoride use as part of comprehensive oral health care in the region.

INTRODUCTION:The United Nation's Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 calls for universal access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), which are crucial elements of health and well-being and fundamental for a life in dignity. Early childhood caries (ECC) is a preventable disease affecting health and quality of life of millions of young children worldwide. This scoping review aims to explore the connection between ECC and access to clean water and sanitation. METHODS:This scoping review, registered on the Open Science Framework and following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, conducted a thorough search in databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Google Scholar, SciELO) and websites (via Google) in November 2023. The search, without date limitations, targeted studies in English and Spanish linking ECC to SDG6. Exclusions were made for studies solely focusing on ECC without a direct connection to clean water and sanitation. Descriptive statistics summarized the retrieved papers. RESULTS:The initial search yielded 303 articles. After removing duplicates, 264 articles remained for title and abstract screening after which 244 were excluded and one report was added through citation searching. The 21 remaining articles underwent full text review. There were no studies on a direct association between access to clean water and sanitation and the prevalence of ECC. There were nine studies that showed indirect associations between ECC and access to clean water and sanitation through the links of: water and sanitation access as a marker for poverty (n = 1), water consumption as a feeding practice (n = 4), and the effectiveness of water fluoridation (n = 4). These were used to develop a conceptual model. CONCLUSIONS:While it is conceivable that a direct link exists between ECC and access to clean water and sanitation, the available body of research only offers evidence of indirect associations. The exploration of potential pathways connecting water access to ECC warrants further investigation in future research.