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A special issue of Children (ISSN 2227-9067). This special issue belongs to the section "Pediatric Dentistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2022) | Viewed by 27699

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Boyen Huang

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Guest Editor

School of Dentistry, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
Interests: teledentistry and mhealth; traumatic dental injuries; non-nutritive sucking behavior; epidemiologic and social determinants of oral conditions; formation of supernumerary teeth and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta (CEBPB)

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Oral health is defined as “the health of the teeth, gums, and the entire oral-facial system that allows us to smile, speak, and chew”, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the United States. As a vulnerable group in the society of any culture, children are susceptible to various oral health conditions and at risk for oral health disparities. Having the characteristics of physical, socioemotional, and cognitive development blended with unique health needs, pediatric oral health is one of the disciplines that often draws attention and renders research opportunities.

To reflect the relevance of pediatric oral health in research, a Special Issue on Pediatric Oral Health is being created by Children, a high-impact open-access journal. It is an honor of mine to serve as a Guest Editor for this Special Issue. I would like to invite researchers of all career stages to share their research in the form of original research articles and systematic reviews. Manuscripts related to any of the following research topics are particularly encouraged: (1) technology and innovation for pediatric oral health; (2) determinants of oral conditions in children and adolescents; (3) efficacy, efficiency or effectiveness of pediatric dental care; (4) disparities in pediatric oral health and access to dental care; and (5) challenges or opportunities arising from the COVID-19 pandemic for pediatric oral health.

My role here is to provide leadership and assistance to the researchers and authors who are interested in contributing to this Special Issue on Pediatric Oral Health. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. The journal team and I are looking forward to assisting you in promoting your research work and communicating with the broader community.

Dr. Boyen Huang
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Children is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

pediatric dentistry
dental care for children
dental technology
epidemiologic determinant
social determinants of health
treatment outcomes
dental health services
healthcare disparities
access to care
COVID-19

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 271 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Management of Post-Traumatic Dental Care Anxiety in Pediatric Dental Practice—A Clinical Study

by Twana Othman Hussein and Damla Akşit-Bıçak

Children 2022, 9(8), 1146; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/children9081146 - 29 Jul 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2553

Abstract

Background: It is important to avoid giving children traumatic dental experiences that induce post-traumatic dental care anxiety (PTDA) in clinical dental practices. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether non-pharmacological behavior management procedures can effectively reduce the use of pharmacological behavior management in children who have PTDA and are referred for regular dental treatments under general anesthesia (GA) and sedation. Methods: This clinical study consisted of two groups. The treatment group involved 20 healthy children aged 4–14 with PTDA and also those referred by other institutions for dental treatment with/without GA. The control group was sampled retrospectively from the patient records and involved 20 healthy uncooperative children aged 4–14 with PTDA who had been treated under GA. Results: The number of multiple appointments was significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group. Only 25% of children in the treatment group underwent GA and the rest (75%) were managed with non-pharmacological management techniques. Nine (60%) children who were treated with minimally invasive techniques did not require GA. Conclusions: It is important to treat children as much as possible without causing PTDA by using appropriate behavior management techniques. This study emphasizes the usefulness of thoroughly employing non-pharmacological behavior management methods before directing a child with PTDA for dental treatment under pharmacological behavior management, which can prevent the over-utilization of sedation and GA. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pediatric Oral Health)

11 pages, 435 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dental Caries, Oral Health Behavior, and Living Conditions in 6–8-Year-Old Romanian School Children

by Ramona Dumitrescu, Ruxandra Sava-Rosianu, Daniela Jumanca, Octavia Balean, Lia-Raluca Damian, Guglielmo Giuseppe Campus, Laurentiu Maricutoiu, Vlad Tiberiu Alexa, Ruxandra Sfeatcu, Constantin Daguci, Mariana Postolache and Atena Galuscan

Children 2022, 9(6), 903; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/children9060903 - 16 Jun 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3442

Abstract

Dental caries still have a high prevalence in Romania. The aim of this paper is to determine the prevalence of caries in children (aged 6 to 8 years) correlated with individual-level predictors and socio-economic variables. A stratified, randomized nationally representative sample was established, taking into consideration the total number of preschool children and based on administrative units and residence. Self-assessment was performed by means of the Oral Health Questionnaire for Children (WHO). Examinations were conducted by 10 standardized examiners, with International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) caries codes higher than 3 considered as dentinal caries, missing teeth as MT, and restorations as FT. DMFT and SiC indexes were calculated accordingly. The dataset for each outcome variable was analyzed by the Hurdle approach analyzed. The gender distribution was similar (47.22% male and 52.78% female), with 42.65% residing in rural areas. The mean DMFT value for the sample was 4.89 and SiC index 9.83. A negative association could be seen between DMFT and the father’s level of education (β = −0.33, SE = 0.07, p < 0.01) as well as the mother’s education (β = −0.25, SE = 0.07, p < 0.01). In conclusion, caries prevalence is very high in Romania as compared to the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation for this age group in correlation with socio-economic factors and oral health behavior. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pediatric Oral Health)

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12 pages, 281 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Retrospective Cohort Study on Potential Risk Factors for Repeated Need of Dental Rehabilitation under General Anesthesia in a Private Pediatric Dental Practice

by Viktoria Karl, Konstantin Johannes Scholz, Karl-Anton Hiller, Isabelle Tabenski, Frederike Schenke, Wolfgang Buchalla, Christian Kirschneck, Katrin Bekes and Fabian Cieplik

Children 2022, 9(6), 855; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/children9060855 - 08 Jun 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1665

Abstract

The need for dental rehabilitations under general anesthesia (DRGAs) is continuously increasing, particularly for dental treatment of children. The present retrospective cohort study aimed to investigate potential risk factors for repeated need of DRGA in a cohort of patients from a private pediatric dental practice. Demographic and anamnestic data, dental status, and treatments performed during DRGA were retrospectively analyzed from the electronic dental charts of 1155 children that received at least one DRGA between October 2016 and December 2021. The median age of all children was 5 years at time of their first DRGA. The rate of repeated DRGAs was 9%. Patients with repeated need of DRGA were significantly younger at time of their first DRGA and revealed significantly more often a history of preterm birth and current use of a baby bottle as compared to patients with only one DRGA. There were significantly fewer treatments (regardless of type) in the second DRGA than at the first. Within the limitations of this study, young age at first DRGA, a history of preterm birth, and current use of a baby bottle may be risk factors for repeated need of DRGA. The search for effective strategies to minimize the repeated need for DRGA in children remains critical. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pediatric Oral Health)

11 pages, 2620 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Primary Teeth Supported Fixed Prosthesis—A Predictable Treatment Alternative

by Sarit Naishlos, Liat Chaushu, Oded Ghelfan, Joseph Nissan, Benjamin Peretz, Tal Ratson, Gil Ben-Izhack, Moshe Davidovich and Sigalit Blumer

Children 2022, 9(6), 804; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/children9060804 - 30 May 2022

Viewed by 2384

Abstract

Background: Individuals with tooth agenesis often present a significant clinical challenge for dental practitioners. This retrospective study evaluated clinical and radiological long-term functional and esthetic outcomes following restoration using primary teeth to support fixed all-ceramic prosthesis in patients with teeth agenesis. Methods: Patients with teeth agenesis and at least one year follow-up were included. Examinations included panoramic X-ray, clinical examination and family history records. Only primary teeth without permanent teeth underneath were chosen. All ceramic fixed restorations were used. All data were collected from patient files. Outcome parameters included: restoration parameters (restoration survival, restoration fractures, restoration detachment, restoration replacement, and secondary caries), plaque index, and gingival index. Results: The study included 58 porcelain restorations inserted in 25 individuals; mean age 12 ± 2.1 years (range 10–19 years); mean number of missing teeth 12.3 ± 9 (range 6–12). Mean follow-up 48 ± 6 months (range 12–60 months). All restorations survived up to last follow-up, rendering a survival rate of 100%. Restorations outcome—porcelain chipping (9%), detachment (2%), no restoration replacement nor secondary caries, mean gingival index—0.7 ± 0.5 and mean plaque index—0.9 ± 0.3. Conclusions: In tooth agenesis, restoration using primary teeth to support fixed all-ceramic prosthesis is a viable treatment alternative. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pediatric Oral Health)

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12 pages, 278 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Toothbrushing and Oral Care Activities of Autistic and Non-Autistic Latino Children

by Lucía I. Floríndez, Dominique H. Como, Daniella C. Floríndez, Francesca M. Floríndez, Evelyn Law, Jose C. Polido and Sharon A. Cermak

Children 2022, 9(5), 741; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/children9050741 - 18 May 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2361

Abstract

Background: Oral care activities, e.g., toothbrushing, are habitual occupations often considered routine. However, for autistic children, performing these routine dental practices can be challenging due to the child’s sensory sensitivities, unique executive function, and the complicated way in which autistic children conceptualize structure and habits. Limited research exists exploring the nuances of oral care routines in the autistic population, and more knowledge is needed to support targeted education interventions to improve oral care and address health inequities. The purpose of this study was to examine videos of oral care routines in the home to understand how oral care activities, such as toothbrushing, were performed by autistic and non-autistic Latino/a children. Methods: Parents/caregivers from eighteen Latino/a families with children between 6 and 12 years old (n = 10 autistic children and n = 8 non-autistic children) video recorded their child’s oral care routines for three days. The research team blindly coded and analyzed these videos using an oral care observation template to understand how these activities were uniquely performed by the children. Results: Eighty-five oral care videos were analyzed for this study. In addition to noting areas of oral care that can be improved, which included length of brushing and using the correct brushing technique, we identified two themes related to the differences between oral care practices in the autistic and non-autistic children: parent involvement and modifications. Conclusions: Qualitative findings show that parental involvement was documented especially in the case of autistic children, and that two types of modifications, habitual and sensory, were observed that demonstrated parents being aware of the needs of their autistic child and modifying the oral care activity to meet those needs. By synthesizing observations from the oral care videos into suggestions for practitioners working with families, we hope to supplement knowledge about effective oral care practices for autistic and non-autistic Latino/a children, thereby improving overall oral health and reducing oral health inequities in this population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pediatric Oral Health)

10 pages, 900 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association between Body Mass Index (BMI) and Dental Caries among 6–12-Year-Old School Children

by Sunil Babu Kotha, Shayma Abdulaziz Terkawi, Sarah Ali Mubaraki, Abdulrahman Dahham Al Saffan, Sree Lalita Kotha and Sreekanth Kumar Mallineni

Children 2022, 9(5), 608; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/children9050608 - 25 Apr 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2895

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the association between BMI and dental caries in 6–12-year-old children. This cross-sectional study was carried out among 6–12-year-old school children and their parents. The data on Body Mass Index (BMI) and dental caries for study participants were included in the study. The association between BMI and dental caries was evaluated using SPSS software. The study comprises 400 school children (157 boys and 243 girls) aged an average of 8.9 years. The overall prevalence of dental caries was 84% in primary dentition and 75% in permanent dentition, with a mean DMFT and dmft (decayed, missing and filled teeth) of 2.85 and 5.48, respectively. There was a significant association witnessed between mothers’ education and BMI status. A significant association was also evident between decayed (d), missing (m) and filled (f) teeth and overall dmft with different BMI categories (p < 0.05). There was no significant association evident between DMFT and each category of BMI (p > 0.05). The dmft and DMFT within the four BMI categories by one-way ANOVA were highly significant (p < 0.001). Post hoc analysis helped us identify the relationship among the various categories of BMI with dental caries. There was a positive association evident between the BMI of the children and dental caries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pediatric Oral Health)

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9 pages, 800 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Qualitative and Quantitative Micro-CT Analysis of Natal and Neonatal Teeth

by Mohammed Nadeem Bijle, Sreekanth Kumar Mallineni and James Tsoi

Children 2022, 9(4), 560; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/children9040560 - 14 Apr 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1899

Abstract

The objective of this study was to characterize natal and neonatal teeth using micro-computed tomography. A total of 4 natal and 11 neonatal teeth were used for the analysis. The reconstructed scans were assessed for the maximum enamel/dentin thickness and mineral density (MD). The scanned specimens were 3D reconstructed to qualitatively determine the surface topography. The dentin thickness was two-fold greater than enamel thickness for both natal and neonatal teeth (p < 0.05). The cervical third enamel MD remained undetermined in natal and neonatal teeth. The dentin MD at the cervical third for neonatal teeth was significantly lower than the incisal and middle third dentin (p < 0.05). Similarly, the dentin MD at the cervical third of neonatal teeth was significantly lower than the cervical third dentin MD of natal teeth (p < 0.05). Our qualitative analysis suggests that the cervical thirds of both natal and neonatal teeth are peculiar of an anomalous structure, with neonatal teeth showing an irregular outline. Under the conditions of the present study, it can be concluded that the neonatal teeth studied exhibited a distinguishable aberrant structure compared to the natal teeth. Therefore, the natal teeth unfold as a more organized, three-dimensional structure compared to the neonatal teeth. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pediatric Oral Health)

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11 pages, 267 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study of Orofacial Function in Preschool Children Born Prematurely

by Mei-Chen Chang, Hsiu-Yueh Liu, Shun-Te Huang and Hsiu-Lin Chen

Children 2022, 9(3), 360; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/children9030360 - 04 Mar 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2119

Abstract

Children born prematurely often exhibit orofacial dysfunction. We conducted Nordic Orofacial Test Screening and analyzed chewing and swallowing functions of 243 children aged 3–5 years, consisting of 142 and 101 children born full-term and preterm, respectively, to evaluate the orofacial function of preschool premature children. Categorical variables were analyzed using chi-square test for a comparison. The univariate analysis of variance was used to analyze the effects of birth weight, gestational age, intubation at birth, use of nasal continuous positive airway pressure support after birth, and use of nasogastric tube on the chewing and swallowing functions of children born prematurely. In this survey, term-born children had a higher incidence of bad oral habits, grinding teeth while sleeping, and abnormal gulping compared to preterm-born children. Preterm-born children had a higher incidence of choking, decreased mouth opening (<30 mm), abnormal dental arch form, abnormal palatal vault, and dysarthria compared to term-born children. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pediatric Oral Health)

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8 pages, 600 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Thumb-Sucking Habits and Oral Health: An Analysis of YouTube Content

by Zaki Hakami, Prabhadevi C. Maganur, Sanjeev B. Khanagar, Sachin Naik, Khalid Alhakami, Omar A. Bawazeer, Ahmed Mohammed Alassiry and Satish Vishwanathaiah

Children 2022, 9(2), 225; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/children9020225 - 08 Feb 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4112

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the content and usefulness of YouTube videos on** thumb-sucking habits. Methods: YouTube was systematically searched for all relevant videos on thumb sucking using primary keywords, such as thumb, finger, and digit sucking. Video information was assessed, such as the type of video, number of likes or dislikes, number of views, and duration of upload. The usefulness of videos was analyzed, and information about treatment modalities was evaluated. Results: A total of 331 YouTube videos (314 educational offerings and 17 testimonials) were included in the analysis. Individual users uploaded (36.6%), followed by healthcare professionals (30.5%). Only 4.83% of the videos were classified as having “very useful” general information content, whereas 51.1% were rated as “slightly useful.” There was no significant correlation between the usefulness score and the interaction rate, video length, or viewing rate. The videos advised a psychosocial approach and mechanical or reminder therapy in 32.33% and 25.07% of videos, respectively. Preventive methods accounted for 7.26%, and chemical treatments were discussed in 5.44% of the videos. Conclusion: Information on YouTube about thumb-sucking habits was unsatisfactory and should be improved by oral healthcare professionals and organizations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pediatric Oral Health)

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10 pages, 710 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Relationship between Dental Occlusion and Maximum Tongue Pressure in Preschool Children Aged 4–6 Years

by Yumi Sasaki, Masatoshi Otsugu, Hidekazu Sasaki, Naho Fujikawa, Rena Okawa, Takafumi Kato and Kazuhiko Nakano

Children 2022, 9(2), 141; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/children9020141 - 22 Jan 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2759

Abstract

Tongue function is regarded as a primary factor in the etiology of malocclusion, but details of the relationship remain unknown. The purpose of the present study was to investigate maximum tongue pressure, in preschool children to examine its relationship with dental occlusion. A total of 477 healthy children (248 boys, 229 girls, aged 4–6 years) were recruited. Dental occlusion was assessed visually to record sagittal, vertical, and transverse malocclusion, and space discrepancies. Maximum tongue pressure was measured using a balloon-based tongue pressure measurement device. Additionally, 72 children (37 boys, 35 girls, aged 4–5 years) were recruited for a 1-year follow-up study. Approximately half of the children (53.5%) showed some type of malocclusion in the present study. Maximum tongue pressure was highest in the 6-year-old children. The results of a two-way ANCOVA show that the effect of age was significant (p < 0.001); however, the effects of sex and dental occlusion, or the interactions among these variables, did not reach significance. Additionally, maximum tongue pressure increased significantly in the 1-year follow-up study (p < 0.001), especially in the normal occlusion group. Maximum tongue pressure increases markedly with growth in the preschool years and can be associated with some types of malocclusion in preschool children. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pediatric Oral Health)

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