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Healthcare
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Prevention and Management of Oral Diseases Among Children
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Prevention and Management of Oral Diseases Among Children

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Assessments".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2025 | Viewed by 5488

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Tammy Duangthip

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Division of Pediatric Dentistry, College of Dentistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
Interests: caries prevention and management; community dental care
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Divesh Sardana

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Division of Pediatric Dentistry, Department of Developmental Sciences, University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA
Interests: dental caries; dental public health; dentistry
Dr. Phoebe Pui Ying Lam

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Paediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
Interests: oral health; dentistry; children; dental caries

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Good oral health is essential to maintaining overall health and wellbeing, particularly in children. Oral diseases, such as dental caries, periodontal diseases, malocclusion, and oral malignancies, can have severe and long-lasting impacts on a child's growth and development. Effective management of oral disease in children involves a multifaceted approach, including prevention, early detection, and treatment. Prevention is the key to avoiding these negative outcomes, and identifying effective prevention methods is crucial for improving the oral health and quality of life of future generations. Early detection and management of oral diseases efficiently minimises their progression and future complications.

To achieve this goal, clinicians, researchers, and public healthcare professionals must work together to develop effective management strategies for combatting oral diseases among children. This Special Issue invites researchers to submit papers about recent advances in the field of paediatric dentistry, covering subjects such as randomised or non-randomised trials, longitudinal or cross-sectional trials, clinical or laboratory studies, systematic or narrative reviews, and case reports. The goal is to investigate different approaches for preventing and managing oral diseases in children and identify effective strategies for promoting and maintaining good oral health in this population. By working together, we can significantly impact the health and wellbeing of future generations throughout their lives.

We now invite you to contribute your expertise and insights to our upcoming publication focused on the "Prevention and Management of Oral Diseases Among Children". As advocates for children's health, we believe in the power of knowledge to make a lasting impact. Your valuable contributions can help us to disseminate essential information, strategies, and research findings to empower parents, caregivers, and dental professionals in safeguarding the oral health of children. Whether you possess useful clinical expertise, research findings, or practical advice based on your experiences, we encourage you to share your knowledge with our readers. Together, we can create a resource that promotes the well-being of children through effective preventive measures.

Dr. Tammy Duangthip
Dr. Divesh Sardana
Guest Editors

Dr. Phoebe Pui Ying Lam
Guest Editor Assistant

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. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2700 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

  • children
  • prevention
  • oral disease
  • oral health
  • dental caries

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 1730 KiB  
Article
Pediatric Preformed Zirconium Oxide Crowns vs. Preformed Metal Crowns After Pulpotomy in Primary Molars: A Practice-Based Retrospective 2.5 Year Cohort Study
by Isabella Brenner, Maria Abdin and Julian Schmoeckel
Healthcare 2025, 13(7), 751; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13070751 - 27 Mar 2025
Viewed by 180
Abstract
Background: Primary molars with deep carious lesions often require a treatment with pulpotomy and restoration with a crown. Aim: This study aims to compare the survival rates of stainless steel (SSC) and zirconium oxide (ZOC) crowns carried out on pulpotomized primary molars using [...] Read more.
Background: Primary molars with deep carious lesions often require a treatment with pulpotomy and restoration with a crown. Aim: This study aims to compare the survival rates of stainless steel (SSC) and zirconium oxide (ZOC) crowns carried out on pulpotomized primary molars using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) 4 to 6 lesions. Materials and Methods: The data of 100 patients (mean age 5.3 ± 2.1 years, mean decayed, missing or filled primary teeth (dmft) 7.1 ± 3.2) with 272 primary molars (40, 225, 7 with ICDAS 4, 5, 6, respectively) were collected retrospectively from a specialized private pediatric dental office after ethical approval was obtained and each participant agreed to participation in the study. Primary molars were treated between 2019 and 2021 with pulpotomy (15.5% ferrous sulfate solution for hemostasis and zinc oxide eugenol as a wound dressing) followed by a crown (203 SSC and 69 ZOC) with a minimum follow-up period of 6 months and a mean follow-up time of 28.2 (±11.0) months. Results: Failure occurred significantly less often in SSC (n = 13 out of 203) than in ZOC (n = 20 out of 69; p < 0.001). Major failure was attributed to swelling and abscess (n = 13, 39.4%) followed by the occurrence of fistula (n = 15, 45.4%) and fracture of the crown and abutment (n = 5, 15.2%). Minor failure due to cement dissolution occurred significantly less often in SSC than in ZOC (n = 10 out of 203 vs. n = 9 out of 69; p < 0.005. A Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed an overall estimated survival time of 38.25 (Confidence interval (CI): 37.0–39.4) months for both types of crowns. A Log-Rank (Mantel–Cox) analysis showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in the estimated mean survival time of SSC (39.75; CI: 38.5–40.9 months) and ZOC (33.4; CI: 30.5–36.3 months). Survival probability drops just below 80% for ZOC and stays a little over 90% for SCC around the 20th month. Conclusions: SSC showed an advantage over its ZOC counterpart when placed after pulpotomy for the management of primary molars with deep carious lesions. A higher necessity for re-intervention in the more aesthetic ZOC should be considered in clinical decision taking. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prevention and Management of Oral Diseases Among Children)
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12 pages, 246 KiB  
Article
Oral Health Knowledge, Attitudes, and Learned Clinical Skills in Pediatric Medicine Residents and Nurse Practitioner Students: A Pre-Post Design
by Laurie Love, Francisco Ramos-Gomez, Janni J. Kinsler, Cristina Cabrera-Mino, Cambria Garell and Nancy A. Pike
Healthcare 2024, 12(18), 1807; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12181807 - 10 Sep 2024
Viewed by 876
Abstract
(1) Background/Objective: California has one of the highest rates of pediatric dental caries in the nation. One way to combat this problem is through non-dental provider training programs that focus on prevention. However, there are limited data on healthcare provider training program integration [...] Read more.
(1) Background/Objective: California has one of the highest rates of pediatric dental caries in the nation. One way to combat this problem is through non-dental provider training programs that focus on prevention. However, there are limited data on healthcare provider training program integration and evaluation of oral health curricula focused on prevention of early childhood caries. This study will assess the change in healthcare providers’ attitudes, knowledge, and skills by implementing an interprofessional educational (IPE) oral health curriculum in medicine and nurse practitioner programs at one university in Southern California. (2) Methods: A mixed method design was employed using a pre- and post-educational survey, and end-of-program focus group interviews. Descriptive statistics and paired t-tests were used to assess group differences and thematic analyses for the focus groups. (3) Results: A total of 81 students (14 pediatric medicine residents, 18 pediatric, and 49 family nurse practitioners) completed the curriculum and surveys. Attitudes related to oral hygiene remained unchanged, with the nurse practitioner group showing improved clinical skills (all questions; p < 0.021). Knowledge scores significantly improved across all groups (paired t-test; p < 0.001). All focus groups expressed the helpfulness of the educational modules, the usefulness of the skills learned, and the benefits of IPE activities. (4) Conclusion: Healthcare providers showed improved oral health knowledge and clinical skills acquired through the oral health program and can serve as a model to educate across disciplines on the prevention of early childhood caries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prevention and Management of Oral Diseases Among Children)
11 pages, 577 KiB  
Article
The Prevalence of Candida albicans and Malassezia globosa in Preschool Children with Severe Early Childhood Caries: A Case-Control Study
by Vanessa C. W. Man, Prasanna Neelakantan and Cynthia K. Y. Yiu
Healthcare 2024, 12(13), 1359; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12131359 - 8 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1294
Abstract
Background: This cross-sectional study aimed to identify the prevalence of Candida albicans and Malassezia globosa in children with severe early childhood caries and caries-free children in Hong Kong. Methods: This study first recruited a total of 80 children aged between 48 and 72 [...] Read more.
Background: This cross-sectional study aimed to identify the prevalence of Candida albicans and Malassezia globosa in children with severe early childhood caries and caries-free children in Hong Kong. Methods: This study first recruited a total of 80 children aged between 48 and 72 months old, 40 children with severe early childhood caries, and 40 caries-free children. The children were then further divided into four groups, with 20 children in each group: Group 1: Severe early childhood caries—C. albicans, Group 2: Severe early childhood caries—M. globosa, Group 3: Caries-free—C. albicans and Group 4: Caries-free—M. globosa. Saliva, plaque, and caries lesion samples were collected from participants with severe early childhood caries, while only saliva and plaque samples were collected from caries-free participants. Caries status of the primary molars was assessed using WHO’s decayed, missing, and filled tooth index, and the severity of cavitated lesions was determined based on International Caries Diagnosis and Assessment System criteria as caries code 5 or 6. The samples were analyzed using an Internal Transcribed Space and Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction. Results:C. albicans was more prevalent in saliva and plaque samples of severe early childhood caries than in the caries-free group. Proportion of C. albicans in both saliva and plaque samples differed significantly between severe early childhood caries and caries-free groups (p < 0.05). Within the severe early childhood caries group, the proportion of children with C. albicans varied between 6 and 46%. No significant difference in M. globosa load was found between plaque samples of the severe early childhood caries and caries-free groups (p = 0.159). Conversely, no significant difference in M. globosa load was observed between saliva samples of severe early childhood caries and caries-free groups (p = 0.051). Conclusions: This study demonstrated a strong association between C. albicans and severe early childhood caries. M. globosa was detected in both the caries-free and severe early childhood caries groups, albeit at low levels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prevention and Management of Oral Diseases Among Children)
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Review

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12 pages, 465 KiB  
Review
Dental Caries Status of Children and Adolescents in West Africa—A Literature Review
by Wai-Lam Chan, Hei-Yu Wong, Rowenna Yue, Duangporn Duangthip and Phoebe Lam
Healthcare 2025, 13(9), 961; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13090961 - 22 Apr 2025
Abstract
Objectives: Dental caries is one of the most prevalent oral diseases worldwide, including in Africa. The aim of this article was to provide a comprehensive review of dental caries status of children and adolescents living in the West African region. Methods: Articles that [...] Read more.
Objectives: Dental caries is one of the most prevalent oral diseases worldwide, including in Africa. The aim of this article was to provide a comprehensive review of dental caries status of children and adolescents living in the West African region. Methods: Articles that fulfilled the study selection criteria were identified through systematic search in electronic databases (EMBASE and MEDLINE). Titles and abstracts were examined manually to screen for articles that study the caries prevalence and experience of children under the age of 18, and only English publications published from the years 2015 to 2024 were included. Publications that include participants with special healthcare needs were excluded. Relevant data related to caries prevalence and severity of participants below 18 were extracted with a standardized spreadsheet. Results: Out of 1288 studies, a total of 18 studies were included. Among the 16 countries in West Africa, only 3 countries (19%) including Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal met the inclusion criteria, with a majority (15/18, 78.9%) focusing on Nigerian children and adolescents. The dmft scores of the included studies ranged from 0.06 to 3.04, and the DMFT scores ranged from 0.02 to 2.65. It is worth noting that dmft/DMFT scores across different countries were collected with a high heterogeneity in study design, and were thereby not directly comparable. Conclusions: The majority of the included studies were conducted in Nigeria. There are significant variations in caries prevalence and caries experience among children and adolescent in West Africa. Further research on oral health surveillance in West Africa is needed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prevention and Management of Oral Diseases Among Children)
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11 pages, 240 KiB  
Review
Recent Developments in the Non-Pharmacological Management of Children’s Behavior Based on Distraction Techniques: A Concise Review
by Jieyi Chen, Ke Deng, Dikuan Yu, Cancan Fan, Limin Liu, Haijing Gu, Fang Huang and Yongbiao Huo
Healthcare 2024, 12(19), 1940; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12191940 - 27 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2294
Abstract
Oral diseases and conditions affect children’s oral health and negatively influence their overall health. Early detection and intervention are important in mitigating these negative consequences. However, dental fear and anxiety (DFA) regarding dental procedures often hinder children from seeking necessary dental care. Non-pharmacological [...] Read more.
Oral diseases and conditions affect children’s oral health and negatively influence their overall health. Early detection and intervention are important in mitigating these negative consequences. However, dental fear and anxiety (DFA) regarding dental procedures often hinder children from seeking necessary dental care. Non-pharmacological behavior management strategies, such as distraction techniques, are commonly adopted to manage children’s behaviors. Distraction techniques have been developed rapidly in recent years and are widely accepted by both health professionals and parents due to their noninvasive and low-cost nature. This concise review aims to summarize current distraction techniques applied during dental treatments, especially for children. The most commonly reported techniques for children are audio distraction, audio-visual distraction, tactile distraction, olfactory distraction, and gustatory distraction. Audio distraction techniques involving music and storytelling help children relax. Audio-visual distraction techniques help to divert children’s attention from the dental treatment. Tactile stimuli can reduce the transmission of pain signals. Olfactory stimuli can help children feel comfortable and relaxed. Gustatory distraction involving sweet substances can create a positive environment. These distraction techniques effectively reduce DFA in children and improve their satisfaction with dental procedures. As technology continues to develop, further research is needed to provide more robust, evidence-based guidance for dentists using distraction techniques. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prevention and Management of Oral Diseases Among Children)
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