American Academy Of Pediatric Dentistry Research Articles

Ensuring Patient Safety in Pediatric Dental Care

This review aims to examine safety concerns in pediatric dental care and underscore the need for comprehensive patient safety initiatives within the Korean Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Drawing insights from the prevailing patient safety policies of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, case reports, and systematic reviews, this review elucidates issues such as dental fires during sedation, ocular complications from local anesthesia, and surgical emphysema. This review highlights the significance of safety toolkits encompassing infection control, medical error reduction, dental unit waterline infection, and nitrous oxide safety in pediatric dental settings, underscoring the need to foster a safety culture. Furthermore, this study explores the curriculum for pediatric dentistry residency programs, emphasizing concepts such as high-reliability organizations and mortality and morbidity conferences. The study suggests the need for initiatives to enhance patient safety, including establishing safety committees, expanding reporting systems, policy development, and supporting research related to patient safety. In conclusion, this study underlines key messages, emphasizing the utmost priority of patient safety, acknowledging the inevitability of human error, promoting effective communication, and cultivating a patient safety culture. These principles are vital for advancing patient safety in pediatric dental care and improving outcomes among pediatric patients.

Traditional versus virtual interviews: A perspective of paediatric dentistry program directors and residents.

COVID-19 pandemic restrictions necessitated changes in conduct of the interview process for the selection of candidates in paediatric dentistry residency programs. To examine the experiences and attitudes of paediatric dentistry program directors and residents regarding the virtual interview process during the 2020/2021 application cycle. A survey was sent to 82 directors and 416 postdoctoral members of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry with data collected from individuals interviewed during the 2020/2021 cycle. Response rates for directors and residents were 27% (N = 22/82) and 17% (N = 72/416), respectively. Seventy-three percent of directors (N = 16) believed that virtual interviews were not an adequate substitute for in-person interviews and made it difficult to present facilities, observe applicant interactions, and assess personality. Fifty-nine percent of the directors (N = 13) were not interested in using virtual interviews if restrictions were lifted. Residents reported that virtual interviews were accommodating but were unable to observe interpersonal interactions, assess the location and facilities, and understand the program culture. Sixty-one percent of residents (N = 44) prefer to interview in-person. The majority of program directors (73%) felt that virtual interviews could not substitute for in-person interviews and 59% would not be interested in using virtual interviews in the future. Residents (94%) reported inability to evaluate the location and facilities, and 61% prefer to interview in-person for future interviews.

AWARENESS AND HEALTH SEEKING BEHAVIOUR OF PARENTS REGARDING THEIR CHILDREN’S ORAL HEALTH AND PROFESSIONAL DENTAL CARE

Parents' awareness and health-seeking behaviour concerning their children's oral health and professional dental care are vital components shaping pediatric dental wellness. The study's primary objective is to find parents' awareness and health-seeking behaviour regarding their children’s oral health and professional dental care. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Karachi. Data was collected from 320 parents who participated in this study. To capture a comprehensive understanding, participant recruitment involves a diverse selection of parents, ensuring representation across various demographics, including age, socioeconomic status, educational background, and geographical location. Data were collected from 320 participants. Participants belong to different age groups. Respondents with a high school education or less constituted 35%, while those with a bachelor's degree represented 30% of the participants. The survey outlined varying degrees of parental awareness regarding specific oral health practices. While a high percentage of parents were aware of the importance of fluoride use for children (85%) and the ideal age for dental check-ups (60%), adherence to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) brushing recommendations and awareness of proper flossing techniques were notably lower, at 25% and 40%, respectively. It is concluded that early dental checkups play a crucial role in preventing conditions like dental caries. Founding good oral habits and hygiene during the formative years significantly contributes to lifelong oral health in children.

In vitro remineralization of adjacent interproximal enamel carious lesions in primary molars using a bioactive bulk-fill composite

BackgroundSurface remineralization is recommended for the management of active non-cavitated interproximal carious lesions in primary teeth. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, a recently recognized category of materials called bioactive restorative materials can be used for remineralization. This study aimed to evaluate the release of fluoride (F), calcium (Ca) and phosphate (P) ions from Predicta® Bioactive Bulk-fill composite compared with EQUIA Forte® and Filtek™ Z350 and to determine the remineralization effect of these 3 restorative materials on adjacent initial interproximal enamel carious lesions.MethodsThe release of F, Ca and P ions from 3 groups ((n = 10/group) (Group 1- Predicta®, Group 2- EQUIA Forte® and Group 3- Filtek™ Z350)) was determined at 1st, 4th, 7th and 14th days. After creating artificial carious lesions, human enamel samples were randomly assigned into 3 groups (n = 13/group) which were placed in contact with occluso-proximal restorative materials and exposed to a 14-day pH cycling period. Surface microhardness was determined using a Knoop microhardness assay at baseline, after artificial carious lesions formation and after pH cycling. The difference in the percentage of surface microhardness recovery (%SMHR) among groups was compared. Mineral deposition was analyzed with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and the enamel surface morphology was evaluated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Kruskal-Wallis’s test with Dunn’s post hoc test and one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc test were used for data analysis.ResultsEQUIA Forte® released the highest cumulative amount of F and P ions, followed by Predicta® and Filtek™ Z350. Predicta® released higher amount of Ca ions than EQUIA Forte® and Filtek™ Z350. Predicta® demonstrated the highest %SMHR, followed by EQUIA Forte® and Filtek™ Z350. There was a significant difference in the %SMHR between Predicta® and Filtek™ Z350 (p < 0.05). However, EQUIA Forte® demonstrated the highest fluoride content, followed by Predicta® and Filtek™ Z350. The SEM images of EQUIA Forte® and Predicta® revealed the greater mineral deposition.ConclusionPredicta® demonstrated a marked increase in surface microhardness and fluoride content of adjacent initial interproximal enamel carious lesions in primary molars compared with Filtek™ Z350. Predicta® is an alternative restorative material to remineralize adjacent initial interproximal enamel carious lesions in primary molars, especially in high-risk caries patients.

Comparison of two different caries risk assessment tools for infants and toddlers - A cross-sectional study.

One of the essential components for successful caries management is caries risk assessment (CRA). Among CRA tools (CRATs) published in the literature: Caries management by risk assessment (CAMBRA) 123 and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) CRATs are specifically designed for infants and toddlers. The aim of this study is to compare readily available internationally accepted CRAT for infants and toddlers and check the usability of these tools in assigning caries risk among the Indian population. The study was conducted at Baby Oral Health Promotion Clinic, Department of Pediatrics, Tertiary Care Hospital using a cross-sectional study design. Data were collected using CAMBRA 123 and AAPD CRATs from 379 children aged 0-6 years. The caries risk of the children was recorded with each CRAT and a comparison was made between the two tools used. The percentage of agreement and Cohen's kappa coefficient were used to know the agreement between the CAMBRA 123 and AAPD CRATs using the SPSS statistical tool. The significance level was set at 5% (α = 0.05). For children aged <2 years, the study showed slight agreement between the CAMBRA 123 and AAPD, whereas, for children more than 2 years, there was a fair agreement between the two methods which was statistically significant. This indicates that the agreement between the two methods is still not perfectly established, and AAPD CRA assigns a higher risk category than CAMBRA 123. CAMBRA 123 is a promising user-friendly quantitative method for CRA in clinical practice. Since there is ambiguity in assessing the caries risk in children <2 years, there is a need to establish a CRAT that can be used exclusively for children below 2 years.

Barriers to Using Advanced and Pharmacological Behavior Management Techniques: A Survey of Pediatric Dentists in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

In this study, we assessed the use of advanced pharmacological behavior management techniques (BMTs) among pediatric dentists in Saudi Arabia and the barriers to their clinical application. This cross-sectional study used a self-administered electronic survey that targeted members of the Saudi Society of Pediatric Dentistry. The questionnaire included questions on five techniques of advanced and pharmacological behavior management recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Descriptive statistics, frequency, Chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test were used to present the outcomes and independent variables. A total of 57 pediatric dentists completed the survey. Nitrous oxide (N2O) sedation, general anesthesia (GA), and protective stabilization were used regularly by pediatric dentists in 70.2%, 68.4%, and 56.1% of the participants, respectively. A few participants reported using oral (14.0%) or intravenous (IV) sedation (10.5%) regularly. The most common barriers to using these techniques were either dentists' discomfort or the non-availability of the equipment/drugs. The most common method used by pediatric dentists was N2O inhalation sedation, followed by GA and protective stabilization. The participants' use of pharmacological BMTs, including IV and oral sedation, was relatively low.

Dental management of a 3-year-old uncooperative child under general anaesthesia: a case report

Dental care is medically necessary for the purpose of eliminating and preventing orofacial disease, infection and pain, restoring the form and function of the dentition, and correcting facial disfiguration or dysfunction – American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). Lack of cooperation in young paediatric patients can be a confounding factor for dental rehabilitation procedures and even examination or radiographs. To complete necessary dental radiographs and/or treatment in young, uncooperative children general anaesthesia or deep sedation is often required. This article presents the case of a 3-year-old girl child with a complaint of sharp shooting pain in upper and lower left back tooth region and was extremely uncooperative. She was diagnosed with early childhood caries; full mouth rehabilitation was done under general anaesthesia. Clinical examination, classification and treatment plan are discussed based on the review of current literature available.

Acceptance and awareness of southeastern and western private practice pediatric dentists of fluoride-free toothpastes: a survey study.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) affirms that the use of fluoride, as an adjunct in the prevention of caries, is safe and effective. The AAPD encourages dentists, other healthcare providers, and parents to optimize fluoride exposures to reduce the risk of caries and to enhance the remineralization of affected teeth. However, there is resistance amongst patients towards fluoride overexposure and despite there being research on other effective remineralizing agents, most pediatric dentists primarily cater their practice to fluoride-based products. The objective of the study is to survey pediatric dentists' acceptance and awareness of fluoride-free remineralizing agents. A listserv of the southeastern and western private practice pediatric dentists was obtained from the AAPD consisting of 6490 email addresses. A questionnaire consisting of 15 questions was sent to each address using Qualtrics. Different trends in fluoride-free acceptance and awareness were seen based on region of practice, region of training and age of practitioner. Region of practice, residency training and age can be contributing factors toward fluoride-free remineralizing agent opinion. The data gathered trends towards western-trained pediatric dentists are more likely to recommend a fluoride-free toothpaste than a southeastern-trained dentist.

Fluoride prophylaxis - poison or simple way to get rid of early childhood caries (ECC) – review

Introduction: As a prevention, fluoride is used systemically as well as topically in the oral cavity. Thanks to fluoride prophylaxis, one of the most common bacterial disease in the world can be significantly reduced. This disease is dental caries. As such, it constitutes a huge problem in current stomatology, especially the type that affects small children - early childhood caries (ECC). Fluoride has beneficial effects not only in caries prevention but also in arresting and inhibiting the active decay process. Nevertheless, in recent years the use of fluoride is claimed to be controversial due to its toxic properties. Aim: The aim of this study is to summarize the current knowledge on the effect that fluoride has on caries diseases affecting children and the safety of its use based on the available research. Materials and methods: Review of the current literature based on data available in: Pubmed, Ncbi, NIH, AAPD (American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry) and EAPD (European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry) websites using the following phrases: fluoride, fluoride in caries prevention, fluoride in caries, fluoride mechanism, fluoride toxicity, fluoride safety, caries, early childhood caries (ECC). Conclusions: The use of fluoride is debatable, due to its toxic properties when used in excessive doses. The analysis of the studies proved that fluoride concentrations used in dentistry for the prevention and treatment of early childhood caries (ECC) are safe for the children's organism. The benefits resulting from its use in modern dentistry, which should be based on prophylaxis, are indisputable.

Dental Caries: Early Intervention and the Role of the Pediatrician.

Despite improvements in oral morbidity levels and access to care among the pediatric population, there are still major disparities in the United States. Results of national surveys have documented a decrease in the number of children receiving either a dental examination or a cleaning. This finding is particularly concerning for toddlers and infants, as early preventive dental visits and the establishment of a dental home is cost-effective and leads to enhanced oral health outcomes over the life span. Many infants and toddlers do not visit a dentist, suggesting that the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry to establish a dental home are not appropriately adopted.

The impact of infant feeding and oral hygiene habits on early childhood caries: A cross-sectional study.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between the Early Childhood Caries (ECC)/severe-ECC (S-ECC) and prolonged breast-feeding (BF), bottle-feeding, and oral hygiene habits in 0-year-old to 5-year-old Turkish children. Dental examinations were performed on 255 patients to determine the prevalence of the ECC and the S-ECC as per the definition of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. To predict the progress rate of caries, noncavitated and cavitated lesion scores were assessed by using the International caries detection and assessment system II criteria. Information on infant feeding practices, oral hygiene habits, maternal characteristics, and demographic features were gathered by means of a questionnaire. The results were statistically evaluated. There were no associations between BF duration, night-time BF, bottle-feeding, and the ECC. And there were also no associations between BF duration, night-time BF, bottle-feeding, and the S-ECC. Cavitated lesions were more common in children breastfed at night for 18-23 months compared to 12-17 months (P = 0.031). Sweetened bottle was an impact factor on caries experience (P = 0.042). A significant correlation was found for dmft, S-ECC, and the cavitated lesions regarding sugar consumption (P = .001, P = .002, and P = .001, respectively). Early introduction to tooth-brushing and regular dental visits were significantly effective in reducing the ECC (P < .001 and P < .001, respectively). BF and bottle-feeding practices were not associated with the ECC/S-ECC. Sweetened bottles and sugary foods are strong risk factors for the ECC/S-ECC.

Oral Health-Related Quality of Life Improvement in Children with Special Needs Following Comprehensive Dental Treatment under GA: A Saudi-Based Follow-up Study

Introduction: Children with Special Healthcare Needs (CSHCN) are considered difficult to maintain oral hygiene and challenging for caregivers and dentists to attain cooperation in dental treatment under general anaesthesia. Family Impact Scale (FIS) and Parental-Caregiver Perceptions Questionnaire (P-CPQ) are useful tools to assess patient’s oral health quality of life and caregivers perception. Aim: To assess the impact of dental treatment under general anaesthesia on the quality of life and oral hygiene of CSHCNs, as perceived by caregivers. Materials and Methods: This prospective follow-up survey study was carried out at Dammam Medical Complex, Saudi Arabia, from December 5th, 2019 to December 15th, 2021. The CSHCN of either gender, aged 12 years, and falling within the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) definition of special-needs patients referred for invasive procedures under general anaesthesia (American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) class I or II), were included. The baseline and, after a one-year follow-up, information obtained from two surveys that were altered from Thompson’s P-CPQ and FIS were decoded into the numeric ordinal scales Never (“0”), Once or Twice (“1”), Sometime (“2”), Always (“3”), and Daily (“4”). Analysis of the collected data was done by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. Results: A total of 84 participants were caregivers of CSHCN who underwent dental procedures under General Anaesthesia (GA), of whom 77 (91.7%) were mothers and 7 (8.3%) were fathers of the CSHCN. The mean age of children was 8.29±2.14 years (Range= 3-12 years); 38 (45.2%) were males and 46 (54.8%) were females. The median FIS after treatment was zero, compared to the median before treatment which was 2, revealing a significant impact on being absent from work, a child requiring more care, the impact of presence, sleeping disturbances, feeling angry, feeling guilty, and a child disputing or blaming either parent (p&lt;0.001). Following the pattern of one year post-treatment FIS, median was 0 (Never) for all items including halitosis, pain, food trapped in palate and teeth, swallow, breath, time, sleep, irritable, frustrating, nervous, shy, absent, laugh, and continue school (p&lt;0.001). Conclusion: The modified FIS and P-CPQ evaluations before and after dental treatment under GA revealed a significant improvement in the oral health quality of life for those CSHCN, as well as the impact on their caregivers. Regular check-ups would be useful for early and non invasive intervention without GA.

Silver Diamine Fluoride as Indirect Pulp Capping Agent in Primary Molars: A Case Series

According to the current recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), Indirect Pulp Capping or Indirect Pulp Treatment (IPT) is defined as a procedure that preserves the deepest cavities adjacent to the pulp to prevent pulp exposure. Preserving and protecting the vital pulp through remineralisation of hypomineralised carious dentin poses a significant challenge in restorative dentistry. Traditionally, managing deep caries often led to pulp exposure and subsequent root canal treatment. Selective or stepwise caries removal is based on the concept of halting the progression of carious destruction, allowing for biological repair of the pulp-dentin complex by promoting the formation of tertiary dentin between temporary and definitive restorations. Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) has gained popularity due to its unique combination of silver and fluoride, which provides antimicrobial and remineralising properties. In this case series of three cases, three-year-old preschool boy, five year old girl and five year old girl, in whom, deep carious lesions in primary molars were treated using selective caries removal techniques with SDF as an IPT agent, resulting in successful minimally invasive restorative procedures. This case series underscores the importance of employing selective caries removal techniques and the potential use of SDF as an IPT agent in such scenarios to preserve tooth vitality in a less invasive therapeutic approach suitable for the pediatric population.

Estimation of fluoride ion concentration in urine after application of silver diamine fluoride in patients with severe early childhood caries.

Despite the University of California San Francisco, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), and the Food and Drug Administration having approved the use of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) in arresting dentinal caries, literature available on its systemic absorption is limited. This study aimed to assess any systemic absorption of fluoride ion following the topical application of SDF in young children. Children aged between 3 and 6 years who were diagnosed with severe early childhood caries and required rehabilitation were recruited for the study. Before the onset of treatment for the arrest and control of caries, a baseline urine sample as a control was collected from the patient. In accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and AAPD guidelines, SDF was topically applied on a minimum of five carious teeth, following which additional urine samples were collected after 2 h and after 24 h, respectively, of application of SDF. The urine samples were stored at -20°C, and the estimation of fluoride ion concentrations in urine was then ascertained using a fluoride ion selective electrode. The results revealed that the fluoride concentration in urine before application of SDF was 0.66 mg/L ± 0.25 mg/L, and following 2 h of application, it was 1.13 mg/L ± 0.23. However, 24 h postapplication, the urinary fluoride concentration was reduced to 0.63 mg/L ± 0.20, which is close to the baseline value of the control sample. There was no significant systemic absorption of fluoride following the application of SDF, and it could be adopted as an effective and safe agent in the armamentarium for managing caries in young children.

The role of sports and protective gear in preventing dental trauma

Sports-related dental trauma pertains to injuries occurring during sports or physical activities that affect the teeth, mouth, or surrounding oral structures. This prevalent type of sports injury can impact athletes of all ages across various sports and recreational pursuits. Crucially, preventive measures, including the use of protective gear like mouthguards and helmets, play a vital role in minimizing the risk of dental injuries during sports. Guidelines from authoritative bodies, such as the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry's Policy on Prevention of Sports-Related Orofacial Injuries, underscore the significance of protective gear in reducing these injuries. This review critically evaluates the effectiveness of current protective gear, encompassing mouthguards, helmets, and facial shields, while also addressing challenges like user compliance and comfort issues. By conducting a thorough analysis, the aim is not only to contribute to the academic discourse on sports dentistry but also to offer practical insights and recommendations for enhancing protective measures. Emphasizing a comprehensive approach involving technological advancements, educational initiatives, and strict adherence to safety protocols, the integration of protective gear emerges as a pivotal element in safeguarding the oral health and overall well-being of athletes engaged in diverse sporting disciplines.

Approach to clinical laser application in pediatric dentistry

The modern concept of pediatric dentistry today is based on minimally invasive dentistry. Light amplification by the stimulated emission of radiation or Laser is one of the newest technologies available and is used for dental and oral care. This technology causes patient compliance with treatment to be maximized because the discomfort caused is very minimal. Lasers are an exci-ting technology and make pediatric dental care more optimal without causing many of the fear factors found in conventional dental care. This protocol has been developed long ago so that laser treatment can continue to evolve and is a safe and effective part of treatment. Although it has some disadvantages regarding cost and training, its use in pediatric dental procedures is well received by patients and their parents. Because of this, the use of lasers, especially in pediatric dentistry, is increasingly import-ant and needs to be developed. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) states that the use of laser as an alterna-tive method in the treatment of hard and soft tissues in the oral cavity for infants, children, adolescents, and patients with special health care needs, but dentists need additional training to apply it to pediatric dental care.

Conscious Inhalation Sedation with Nitrous Oxide and Oxygen in Children: A Retrospective Study

Dental anxiety is a common problem in younger children, especially those who have had traumatic or perceived traumatic dental treatments. Nitrous oxide (N2O) and oxygen (O2) have been recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry as the optimal approach for uncooperative or anxious patients. The study aimed to evaluate the cooperation of children treated on deciduous teeth without local anesthesia and with rubber dam. A retrospective study was conducted from January 2019 to December 2020 in a private dental practice on children aged 4–10 years who had previously reported cases of dental anxiety during dental procedures or refused to undergo them. After an initial cognitive examination, the children underwent conservative treatment lasting a maximum of 30 min. Initially, 100% O2 was administered, then N2O dose was gradually increased to 35%. At the end of the treatment, 100% pure O2 was administered for 5 min. Children’s cooperation was assessed by Venham score before treatment (T0), at the end of induction (T1), and during the treatment (T2). A total of 371 children (age: 6.3 ± 1.7 years) were included in the study. Cooperation increased significantly from baseline at T1 (p &lt; 0.001) and T2 (p &lt; 0.001). Younger children (4–6 years) showed lower levels of cooperation at baseline (p &lt; 0.001) but achieved optimal levels of cooperation at T1 (p = 0.022). Only 2.7% of children reported side effects. N2O/O2 proved to be an effective and safe method in achieving a good level of cooperation in younger children.

The effect of parenthood on the clinician’s empathy and behavior guidance technique preferences among pediatric dentists

To assess the effect of parenthood on the clinician's empathy and behavior guidance practices among pediatric dentists. A web-based questionnaire was sent to all registered pediatric dentists in the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry through the AAPD mailing list. The questionnaire consisted of three main components, the sociodemographic data of the participants including age, gender, years of clinical experience, marital status, having children and number of children if applicable. The second section was designed to assess the clinician's empathy. The final part contained multiple choice questions of the dentist's past and current behavior guidance technique utilization. A total of 432 responses were received. Parent pediatric dentists demonstrated significantly better compassionate care than non-parent dentists. Female participants showed statistically significantly higher scores in overall empathy, and compassionate care. Furthermore, pediatric dentists report better comfortability with behavior guidance techniques after having children. Parenthood may impact the pediatric dentists' compassionate care; however, it does not seem to have an effect on his/her overall empathy. Moreover, having children may increase the level of comfort in practicing behavior guidance techniques except for Tell, Show, Do.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Video-based Intervention on the Knowledge of Infant Oral Health among New Mothers.

Background and objectivesInfant oral health is the foundation upon which preventive dental health education must be built to enhance the conditions for a disease-free oral cavity. Majority of the mothers are ignorant about their oral health and also about the fact that their oral health status affects that of their babies. Educational videotapes have proved to be effective in educating mothers on various child health issues. So the objectives of this study were to educate the mothers about the need for infant oral health care, compare the level of mother's knowledge on infant oral health before and after the video presentation and assess the effectiveness of the presentation.MethodologyAn interactive educational video presentation containing evidence-based information about infant oral health care and prevention was developed. This presentation was based upon information provided by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) on anticipatory guidance. It includes the persuasive message on maternal oral health during preconception and pregnancy and its implication on birth outcomes, vertical transmission of Streptococcus mutans, infant oral health, the risk for early childhood caries (ECC), and increased caries experience on permanent teeth if primary teeth are affected. Emergency care for infant oral trauma, consequences of traumatic injuries to the primary dentition from an aspect of possible damage to the developing tooth, dietary habits, and oral hygiene behaviors. It also emphasizes the timing of the first dental visit and the periodicity of dental screenings. The survey was designed to compare the effectiveness of instructional videotaped persuasive messages by using pre- and post-questionnaires. Two hundred mothers of infants below the age of 12 months were included in the study. They were asked to fill out the questionnaires before and after the presentation on the same visit.ResultsThe results showed a highly significant improvement in knowledge (p< 0.05) as assessed by the proportion of correct responses following a single viewing of the AV-aid.ConclusionThe knowledge of new mothers on infant oral health care was inadequate, and there was an improvement in their knowledge of infant oral health care after the instructional video presentation. An instructional video presentation is an effective tool for improving the oral health knowledge of new mothers.SignificanceBy this study, we want to inculcate the habit of oral hygiene maintenance among the mothers, which indirectly affects the infant's oral health. Through this study, we educated the mothers regarding infant oral health care, which significantly improved their knowledge.How to cite this articleSingh R, Patil SS, K Madhu, et al. Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Video-based Intervention on the Knowledge of Infant Oral Health among New Mothers. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2022;15(3):280-286.

Variation in Current Guidelines for Fluoride Varnish Application for Young Children in Medical Settings in the United States.

BackgroundThe United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends that medical providers apply fluoride varnish (FV) to the teeth of all children under 6 years of age, but fewer than 10% of eligible children receive FV as recommended. Prior studies suggest that variation in clinical guidelines is associated with low uptake of other evidence-based health-related interventions, but consistency of national guidelines for the delivery of FV in medical settings is unknown.MethodsEligible guidelines for application of FV in medical settings for children under 6 years of age were published in the past 10 years by national pediatric or dental professional organizations or by national public health entities. Guidelines were identified using the search terms fluoride varnish + [application; guidelines, or recommendations; children or pediatric; American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP); American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry] and a search of Guideline Central. Details of the guidelines were extracted and compared.ResultsTen guidelines met inclusion criteria. Guidelines differed in terms of periodicity recommendations and whether FV was indicated for children with a dental home or level of risk of dental caries.ConclusionNumerous recommendations about FV delivery in medical settings are available to pediatric medical providers. Further study is warranted to determine whether the variation across current guidelines detected in this study may contribute to low FV application rates in medical settings.