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Comprehensive Approaches in Pediatric Dentistry: Managing Health and Disabilities Across...
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Comprehensive Approaches in Pediatric Dentistry: Managing Health and Disabilities Across All Specialties

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 July 2026 | Viewed by 4068

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Alessandra Putrino

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Dentistry Unit, Management Innovations, Diagnostics and Clinical Pathways, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy
Interests: pediatric dentistry; orthodontics; conservative dentistry; endodontics; technologies; genetics; forensic science; sedation; oral surgery; caries; hygiene; public health; rare diseases; special needs
Dr. Angela Galeotti

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Dentistry Unit, Management Innovations, Diagnostics and Clinical Pathways, Bam-Bino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy
Interests: pediatric dentistry; orthodontics; conservative dentistry; endodontics; technologies; genetics; sedation; oral surgery; caries; hygiene; public health; rare diseases; special needs; public health management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to address the multifaceted aspects of pediatric dental care, encompassing both normative and pathological conditions, as well as various disabilities. With a comprehensive focus on all dental specialties, including conservative dentistry, endodontics, orthodontics, surgery, prophylaxis, sedation, and technological advancements, this issue seeks to provide a holistic overview of the evolving practices in the treatment and management of children within the dental setting. Additionally, dental care often requires a multidisciplinary approach, involving not only the management of oral health in healthy children but also the careful consideration of the unique needs of those with congenital or acquired conditions. This collection will highlight the latest research, clinical innovations, and therapeutic strategies designed to enhance outcomes for young patients, providing a critical resource for dental professionals across specialties.

The Special Issue welcomes all types of manuscripts, including literature reviews, original research articles, and case reports. By featuring contributions from experts across various fields, this collection will offer insights into the integration of advanced technologies and techniques in delivering safe, effective, and compassionate care to children of all ages, with a particular emphasis on optimizing both functional and psychological well-being.

Dr. Alessandra Putrino
Dr. Angela Galeotti
Guest Editors

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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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
  • child dental care
  • conservative dentistry
  • endodontics
  • orthodontics
  • oral pediatric surgery
  • dental prophylaxis
  • sedation in pediatrics
  • dental technologies
  • disabilities in children
  • dental management of special needs

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 1521 KB  
Article
Orthodontists’ Perceived Knowledge, Confidence, and Clinical Practices in Pediatric Temporomandibular Disorders
by Thomas Southern, Linda Sangalli, Calli A. Marando and Caroline M. Sawicki
Children 2026, 13(4), 445; https://doi.org/10.3390/children13040445 - 25 Mar 2026
Viewed by 285
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are common in pediatric patients, yet limited data exist on orthodontists’ knowledge, confidence, and clinical practices related to pediatric TMD. This cross-sectional study aimed to characterize orthodontists’ perceived knowledge, confidence, training, and practice patterns, and examine associations between routine [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are common in pediatric patients, yet limited data exist on orthodontists’ knowledge, confidence, and clinical practices related to pediatric TMD. This cross-sectional study aimed to characterize orthodontists’ perceived knowledge, confidence, training, and practice patterns, and examine associations between routine screening behaviors and perceived confidence. Methods: A 34-item anonymous survey was distributed to orthodontists and orthodontic residents enrolled in or graduated from U.S. Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)-accredited programs. The survey assessed perceived knowledge, confidence in screening, diagnosis, and management of pediatric TMD, adequacy of residency training (on 0–10 numerical rating scale), frequency of routine TMD screening and examination practices, and referral patterns. Respondents were compared in study outcomes according to years of clinical practice with ANOVA. Respondents were categorized according to frequency of TMD screening (always/some of the time vs. sometimes/never) and compared in study outcomes using independent t-tests. Results: Out of 83 respondents, perceived knowledge (56.8 ± 26.9), confidence with screening (62.0 ± 30.5), diagnosis (59.4 ± 29.8), and management (50.8 ± 30.9) of pediatric TMD were moderate. Less than half of respondents (45.8%) reported routinely screening pediatric patients using standardized screening questions. Orthodontists who reported routine screening demonstrated significantly greater perceived knowledge and confidence in screening, diagnosis, and management compared with those who screened less frequently (all p’s ≤ 0.018, effect size between 0.57 and 0.78). Greater use of specific history-taking and clinical examination components was also associated with higher perceived confidence (all p’s between 0.001 and 0.046, effect size between 0.53 and 1.01). Confidence differed by years in practice, with lower scores reported among residents and mid-career practitioners (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Variability exists in orthodontists’ perceived knowledge, confidence, and clinical practices regarding pediatric TMD. Routine screening was associated with greater perceived competence. These findings highlight potential alignment between structured screening behaviors and self-reported confidence and may inform educational strategies in orthodontic training. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Comprehensive Approaches in Pediatric Dentistry: Managing Health and Disabilities Across All Specialties)
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Review

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14 pages, 1227 KB  
Review
Ankyloglossia in Newborns: Clinical Implications and Management—A Narrative Review
by Teresa Edith Ynurrigarro-Medina, Gabriela Torre-Delgadillo, Adriana Torre-Delgadillo, Selene Velázquez-Moreno and Marlen Vitales-Noyola
Children 2026, 13(4), 466; https://doi.org/10.3390/children13040466 - 28 Mar 2026
Viewed by 345
Abstract
Background: Ankyloglossia is a congenital anomaly characterized by restricted tongue mobility due to a short, thick, or tight lingual frenulum. Methods: This narrative review synthesizes current concepts on etiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic approaches, functional implications, and management for ankyloglossia in newborns. [...] Read more.
Background: Ankyloglossia is a congenital anomaly characterized by restricted tongue mobility due to a short, thick, or tight lingual frenulum. Methods: This narrative review synthesizes current concepts on etiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic approaches, functional implications, and management for ankyloglossia in newborns. Results: Ankyloglossia can compromise breastfeeding dynamics, manifesting as suboptimal latch, maternal nipple pain, and inefficient milk transfer, and may influence orofacial function if unrecognized. Because anatomical appearance alone does not reliably predict function, evaluation should prioritize structured functional assessments over purely morphological descriptors. Management should be individualized and stepwise, beginning with lactation support and positioning strategies, and progressing to frenotomy when clear functional limitation persists. In appropriately selected cases, timely intervention can improve feeding efficiency and caregiver comfort while minimizing disruptions to early bonding and nutrition. Post-procedure follow-up is important to confirm functional gains and address residual feeding mechanics. Conclusions: A coordinated, multidisciplinary approach aligns diagnosis and treatment with the infant’s functional needs and family goals, promoting safe, effective, and patient-centered care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Comprehensive Approaches in Pediatric Dentistry: Managing Health and Disabilities Across All Specialties)
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15 pages, 324 KB  
Review
Late Oral Complications in Childhood Cancer Survivors: Implications for Pediatric Dentistry and Survivorship Care
by Lucija Ruzman, Ana Zulijani, Tomislav Skrinjaric, Domagoj Buljan, Jasminka Stepan Giljevic, Iva Bilic Cace and Ana Milardovic
Children 2026, 13(1), 114; https://doi.org/10.3390/children13010114 - 13 Jan 2026
Viewed by 759
Abstract
Survival rates for children treated for malignant diseases continue to improve, yet many survivors face persistent late oral complications that affect function, aesthetics, and quality of life. Oncological therapy, especially at a young age and following head and neck radiotherapy or intensive chemotherapy, [...] Read more.
Survival rates for children treated for malignant diseases continue to improve, yet many survivors face persistent late oral complications that affect function, aesthetics, and quality of life. Oncological therapy, especially at a young age and following head and neck radiotherapy or intensive chemotherapy, can disrupt dental and craniofacial development, resulting in dental developmental disorders, enamel defects, salivary gland dysfunction, caries susceptibility, periodontal problems, trismus, and osteoradionecrosis of the jaw. Although these effects are partially known, they are frequently underrecognized in routine practice, and many children do not receive adequate long-term dental follow-up. A key challenge highlighted in the recent literature is the absence of structured, evidence-based guidelines for monitoring and managing late oral effects. The article emphasizes the need for clearer recommendations, better communication of oncological treatment histories, and stronger integration of dental professionals within survivorship care. Developing standardized follow-up protocols will be essential to ensure timely detection, consistent management, and improved oral health outcomes for childhood cancer survivors. This article is intended as a narrative review, synthesizing available evidence from key publications to highlight clinically relevant late oral complications and gaps in current survivorship care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Comprehensive Approaches in Pediatric Dentistry: Managing Health and Disabilities Across All Specialties)
27 pages, 948 KB  
Review
Tumor–Immune Interactions in Pediatric Oral Rhabdomyosarcoma: A Narrative Review on Immuno-Oncology and Emerging Therapies
by Omar A. El Meligy, Noha M. Elemam, Wael A. Hassan and Iman M. Talaat
Children 2025, 12(9), 1249; https://doi.org/10.3390/children12091249 - 17 Sep 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2200
Abstract
Pediatric oral rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a rare and aggressive cancer of the head and neck, characterized by a complex and mostly immunosuppressive tumor–immune microenvironment. Unlike adult cancers, pediatric RMS typically exhibits a “cold” immune profile, characterized by minimal T-cell infiltration, a low mutational [...] Read more.
Pediatric oral rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a rare and aggressive cancer of the head and neck, characterized by a complex and mostly immunosuppressive tumor–immune microenvironment. Unlike adult cancers, pediatric RMS typically exhibits a “cold” immune profile, characterized by minimal T-cell infiltration, a low mutational burden, and resistance to immune checkpoint blockade. The tumor’s location in the oral cavity adds difficulty to treatment because of anatomical and functional limitations. Additionally, the presence of fusion oncogenes, such as PAX3:FOXO1, hampers immunogenicity and treatment response by disrupting antigen presentation and reducing immune cell infiltration. Advances in immuno-oncology have introduced new strategies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) therapies, cancer vaccines, and oncolytic viruses. However, these approaches face specific challenges in the pediatric population due to developmental immune factors. This narrative review highlights recent findings on the immunobiology of pediatric oral RMS, focusing on tumor–immune interactions and their impact on disease progression and treatment resistance. We reviewed the cellular components of the TIME, the mechanisms of immune evasion, and the expression of immune checkpoints, including PD-L1 and B7-H3. Emerging immunotherapies, including CAR-T, CAR-NK, and CAR-CIK cell therapies; checkpoint inhibitors; oncolytic viruses; and cancer vaccines, are discussed, with an emphasis on their current limitations and potential to transform the pediatric RMS immune landscape. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Comprehensive Approaches in Pediatric Dentistry: Managing Health and Disabilities Across All Specialties)
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