Evaluate the skeletal and upper airway changes induced by the Twin Block device in patients with Class II malocclusion due to mandibular retrognathia using 2D imaging and compare the effects of prepubertal and pubertal treatment. Thirty patients (15 males and 15 females) with Class II malocclusion who were treated with the Twin Block device were selected. Latero-lateral teleradiographs were acquired at the beginning (T0) and end (T1) of treatment. The sample was divided into two groups (pre-pubertal and pubertal) according to cervical vertebral maturation (CVM). Patients wore the device 24 hours a day, except during meals and oral hygiene, and underwent monthly checkups. Images were analysed using DeltaDent software. The Twin Block effectively improved mandibular position and dental occlusion, positively contributing to upper airway development with comparable effects in the two growth stages.

To evaluate the oral health, oral hygiene, and dietary habits of pregnant women, as well as the health status and habits of their children in their first few months of life. This project, implemented through an agreement between the Pescara Local Health Authority and the "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti and Pescara, enabled these investigations to be carried out and assessed satisfaction with pre-/post-partum courses. This is a descriptive statistical analysis conducted on a sample of participants from a maternal and child oral health education project. The project was conducted from June 2023 to December 2024 and enabled 500 pregnant women to participate in pre- and post-partum courses. Of these participants, 105 underwent a free dental examination and agreed to complete a first questionnaire. Subsequently, 53 of these women responded to a second questionnaire regarding the post-partum period. The questionnaires aimed to collect data on general and oral health, dietary and oral hygiene habits, and information about the newborn, their birth, and their first few months of life. From the first questionnaire, it was found that 52.4% of women reported gum bleeding during pregnancy and 40% reported gum swelling. 51.4% had a dental check-up in the previous year, and 58.1% did not use interdental cleaning aids. The second questionnaire revealed that 51.9% of mothers experienced oral problems after childbirth, but of these, only 34.6% underwent a dental check-up. Regarding family habits, 51.9% of parents stated that they engaged in salivary exchange with the child, and 7.69% of newborns had a dental check-up after birth. 88.5% of mothers found the courses useful. The study confirms the prevalence of gum problems during pregnancy and, at the same time, the low level of interest in oral health and, consequently, in dental check-ups. The need to increase awareness about the risks of certain habits, such as salivary exchange, is evident. However, the high satisfaction rate with the courses and the interest shown by most of the project participants-who are still in contact with the dental facilities-demonstrate the effectiveness of the courses. It is therefore hoped that the study can be expanded on a larger scale and that the role of the paediatric dentist can be included in pre-/post-partum pathways.

In the dental field, the value of early prevention is self-evident. Appropriate use of fluoride, parental and child education on correct oral hygiene practices, early detection of conditions such as molar-incisor hypomineralisation, implementation of pit and fissure sealing programmes, and dietary management aimed at reducing sugar intake are all interventions that demonstrate long-term benefits. These measures not only improve the prognosis of future treatments, but also reduce susceptibility to oral diseases in adulthood as well as systemic disorders. Dental caries, the most prevalent chronic disease worldwide, continues to increase in both primary and permanent dentition. Its early occurrence is not merely a dental problem, but also an indicator of exposure to unhealthy lifestyles and to risk factors common to other major conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. This highlights oral prevention as a cornerstone of broader non-communicable disease prevention strategies, in line with WHO recommendations. Examples from daily practice clearly show that paediatric dental prevention is not a cost, but a lifelong investment: every early intervention generates benefits that persist for decades. The challenge in the coming years will be to increasingly integrate oral prevention into maternal and child health programmes, schools, and public health policies, building concrete bridges with paediatrics, nutrition, and other health disciplines, extending through to geriatrics. On the occasion of this anniversary, this special issue seeks to reaffirm a key message: paediatric dental prevention is fundamental to securing oral health and general well-being across the life-course, from childhood to old age. This statement is not a rhetorical claim, but a commitment firmly grounded in scientific evidence.

The Italian Society of Paediatric Dentistry (SIOI) is committed to encouraging the different health professionals taking care of children (e.g., paediatric dental practitioners, paediatricians, gynecologists, obstetricians, dental hygienists, and dieticians) to educate parents (up to the period of pregnancy) and caregivers to limit their children's consumption of cariogenic sugars. The purpose of this SIOI policy is to provide quality communication and information, based on the most updated scientific evidence, on the amount of free sugars (those classified as cariogenic) that can be consumed daily in the diet during the first two years of life, and then from childhood throughout life. This Policy communication aims to reduce the prevalence and severity of caries in both childhood and adulthood and, in addition, to prevent the occurrence of other specific non-communicable diseases (NCDs) that share the risk factor of excessive free sugar intake with caries. NCDs related to free sugar intake are obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), cardiovascular disease (CVD), hypertension, as well as some cancers and all-cause mortality. This policy is based on the most updated and methodologically valid evidence, drawing from data found in systematic reviews (with or without meta-analysis) as well as guidelines and policies (or any official statements/documents) promulgated by the most relevant international scientific societies in this field. The references collection was carried out by searching the PubMed®/MEDLINE electronic database using the following keyword terms: sugar, monosaccharide, disaccharide, sucrose, lactose, galactose, fructose, glucose, maltose, sweetened beverage, sweet food, dessert, snack, candy, cookies, chewing gum, chocolate, dairy products, fruit juice, honey, syrup, and molasses. Only studies and statements/documents written in English, available in their full text, and published within the last 10 years were included in this policy. No restrictions were adopted on the age, gender, and provenience of study participants. The interpretation of the literature findings and the subsequent formulation of policy recommendations were based on the consensus of a multidisciplinary expert panel of researchers and clinicians working in this field.

To provide an updated, evidence-based guidance on preventive strategies for MIH management. The search process was conducted on PubMed®/MEDLINE and included the most recent (last l0 years), highest-quality English-language dental literature focused on preventive strategies in MIH patients (<18 years). Preventive measures - including fluoride-, casein-, calcium glycerophosphate-, arginine-based products; bioactive glasses; biomimetic hydroxyapatite; self-assembling peptides; ozone and laser therapies; silver diamine fluoride; resin infiltration; and fissure sealants are presented. Early diagnosis is essential for the implementation of preventive strategies. Given the absence of a standardised treatment protocol for MIH, therapeutic interventions should be carefully customised based on the severity of the condition, the patient's age, level of cooperation, and specific clinical needs. Adopting a combined preventive approach may significantly improve long-term outcomes.

Odontogenic tumors in children are relatively rare, and among these, intraosseous odontogenic myxoma is particularly uncommon, making up a small proportion of paediatric odontogenic tumors, with a reported incidence ranging from 8,5% to 11,6% of all cases [Forte et al., 2025]. The histopathological confirmation for a definitive diagnosis is required in all cases. A paediatric case of maxillary odontogenic myxoma is documented. This report highlights the clinical features, diagnostic challenges, therapeutic approach and follow-up protocol chosen for patient's treatment. To provide insights into the clinical management of OM, focusing on multidisciplinary approach and timely intervention.

The caries risk assessment (CRA) is the set of procedures that aim to determine a personalised treatment of the caries pathology in the patient. CRA establishes the probability to develop carious lesions over a certain time period or the likelihood that there will be a change in size or activity of lesions already present [Kriegler et al., 2021]. This "assessment" occurs in two phases: the first phase is to determine specific disease indicators, risk factors, and protective factors each patient has such as the presence of bacterial biofilm, the quantity and quality of saliva, the quality and quantity of the patient's diet, the presence or absence of a correct lifestyle from a hygienic point of view; the use of fluorine and calcium phosphate substances; In the second phase a risk level is assigned to the patient (low, moderate, high, or extreme) in order to allow an individualised treatment plan, which combines restorative treatments with a preventive chemical therapy [Featherstone and Chaffee, 2018; Khallaf et al., 2021]. The aim of this preliminary study is to analyse the correlation of caries with the risk factors related in young patients from 6 to 12 years old, associated to moderate and severe risk levels of caries. This was a cross-sectional and descriptive study that included 64 children and adolescents aged from 6 to 12 years, considering the possible and possible samples not acceptable to the study, due to the exclusion criteria. Inclusion criteria were as follows: all children visiting the pediatric dental clinic who co-operated during the oral examination who have from "moderate" to" high" risk of caries according with CAMBRA [Featherstone et al., 2007]. The sample consisted of 64 subjects, of which only one with a C.R.A. score less than 11 (score 1 for the compliance factor, workable soil index, and score 3 for the fluorine factor to indicate no fluoroprophylactic measure) and was considered "low risk". This patient was excluded from the subsequent analysis, which compared subjects with a C.R.A. score of 11-15 ("high risk", n = 29) with those with a score of 16-27 ("extreme risk", n = 34). The results showed that patients at extreme risk of tooth decay compared to high-risk patients, not only had all the highest rating rates, but also had more difficulty changing their habits. We can therefore conclude that both the risk of caries is directly proportional to a worsening of the clinical conditions and the delay of the intervention by the clinician is itself a risk factor.

The purpose of this study was to survey Italian dental practitioners on behaviour guidance techniques (BGTs). Use of tell-show-do (TSD), sedation with nitrous oxide and oxygen according to the Langa technique, audio-visual distraction (AVD) and referral to general anaesthesia (GA) were enquired, particularly focusing on nitrous oxide usage in paediatric dental patients. The research was conducted between September 2022 and December 2023. Data from 153 surveys were eligible to be processed using the STATA/BE software program, version18.0. The sample was stratified based on time in practice (≤10 and >10 years in practice), gender, practicing area (northern, central or southern Italy). Descriptive and inferential analysis were conducted comparing groups using X2 test or Fisher's exact test as appropriate. The level of statistical significance was set at P value <0.05. One hundred fifty-three complete surveys were analysed. Of the respondents, 79.8% (121) were female and 20.92% (32) were male. Regarding years in practice, 53.59% (82) were in practice for less than or equal to 10 years and 46.41% (71) were in practice for more than 10 years. As for location of the practice, 45.10% (69) worked in northern Italy, 23.53% (36) practiced in central Italy and 31.37% (48) were from southern Italy, Sicily and Sardegna included. Significant difference was found between genders, with 55.37% (67) female practitioners who assessed to have more than 50% of their patients in paediatric age, compared to 28.12% (9) male participants. Statistical significance was also found between years in practice and referral to general anaesthesia: 29.27% (24) respondents in practice for equal or less than 10 years stated to refer no patients to general anaesthesia compared to 9.86% (7) providers in practice for more than 10 years. In the sample stratified by geographical area, statistical significance was noticed among practitioners who do not refer any paediatric patient to GA: 37.50% (18) Southern Italian practitioners versus 27.78% (10) central Italian practitioners and 4.35% (3) northern Italian practitioners. Northern Italy was found to be the territory with the highest referral to GA: the answer category <10% paediatric patients indicated for GA was selected by 71.01% (49) northern practitioners versus 66.67% (24) central respondents and 45.83% (22) southern participants in the survey. Behaviour guidance technique selection and utilisation among Italian practicing paediatric dentists is influenced by multiple factors, including gender, time in practice and geographic location of practice. The results showed Tell-Show-Do as the preferred behaviour guidance technique among Italian practitioners. GA referral was assessed to be significantly higher among northern practitioners. Responders in practice for more than 10 years referred to GA a statistically higher percentage of paediatric patients, who were more prevalent in female providers' practices. Sedation with nitrous oxide and oxygen according to the Langa technique was noticed to be the least prevalent among the enquired BGTs; there is a need to implement the use and knowledge of nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesia among Italian practitioners.

Fluoride is a chemical element widely distributed throughout nature. In our bodies, fluoride is considered a trace element, meaning mineral salts that, although present only in small quantities or even trace amounts, perform important biological functions. Fluoride is present in the body primarily associated with calcium, for which it has a high affinity, in teeth and bones. It is rapidly absorbed in the stomach and proximal small intestine, and peak serum levels are reached within 40-60 minutes. Fluoride absorption from water in the form of fluoride ions is faster and more complete than that bound to proteins, the form in which it is found in foods. Fluoride is excreted in urine. In children, 20% of the fluoride is eliminated, with 80-90% retained by bone tissue and developing teeth. The main benefits of fluoride are obtained through local administration, on the tooth surface. Fluoride is considered safe when consumed at recommended levels, but excessive fluoride exposure will lead to the occurrence of fluorosis [Srivastava et al., 2020] with detrimental effects on teeth, bone strength [Wei et al., 2019; Helte et al., 2021; Lindsay et al., 2023] thyroid function and cognitive development [Iamandii et al., 2023; Granjean, 2019; Taylor et al., 2025]. Efforts to develop safe and effective strategies to prevent this common disease are critical, particularly among lower-to-middleincome countries. The aim of this work is to discuss evidence that excessive fluoride exposure is not essential for caries prevention, offers little benefit to the fetus and young infant, and is particularly hazardous for young children due to the vulnerability of their developing brain.