Dental treatments for children and adolescents have unique clinical characteristics that differ from dental care for adults in terms of children's physiology, psychology, and behavior. These differences impose specific requirements on the application of local anesthesia in pediatric dental procedures. This article presents expert consensus on the principles of local anesthesia techniques in pediatric dental therapies, including the use of common anesthetic drugs and dosage control, safety and efficacy evaluation, and prevention and management of complications. The aim is to improve the safety and quality of pediatric dental treatments and offer guidance for clinical application by dentists.
Humans ; Child ; Anesthesia, Local/methods* ; Consensus ; Anesthesia, Dental/methods* ; Adolescent ; Anesthetics, Local/administration & dosage* ; Dental Care for Children

In May 2023, the Chinese Stomatological Association promulgated the group standard of "Standard on Clinical Dental Treatment for Children under General Anesthesia Orsedation". These specifications were formulated through broad-based expert consultation, iterative revisions, and a comprehensive review of relevant literature, incorporating the collective expertise of nationally recognized authorities in the field. The standard establishes a unified evaluation system and clinical guidelines tailored to China's medical context, aiming to regulate related medical practices. This paper aims to provide an in-depth interpretation of the standard, integrating the clinical research and experiences from the Pediatric Dentistry Department of West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, in performing dental treatments under general anesthesia in last 12 years. It particularly focuses on interpreting key aspects, including safety considerations, treatment protocol selection, prevention and management of postoperative complication, postoperative follow-up, and oral health maintenance, to provide a reference for medical staffs to understand and apply them in clinical practice.
Humans ; Anesthesia, General ; Child ; Dental Care for Children/standards* ; China ; Postoperative Complications/prevention & control* ; Anesthesia, Dental/standards* ; Practice Guidelines as Topic

ABSTRACT This retrospective study aimed to evaluate patterns of comprehensive dental treatment under general anaesthesia (GA) for healthy children in Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. The treatment records of healthy paediatric patients who received dental treatment under GA from February 2017 to January 2021 were reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups: (1) less than 6 years old and (2) 6 to 16 years old. Patients’ characteristics were summarised using descriptive statistics while an independent t-test was applied to investigate the influence of “age group” on treatment duration, number of procedures and use of various restorative materials. A total of 125 paediatric patients (67 boys and 58 girls) were included. The patients’ mean age at the time they underwent GA was 5.77 ± 1.94 years old and the average duration of dental treatment was 62.58 minutes. There was a significant difference in the duration of treatment between the two age groups (p < 0.05). Tooth extraction was the most dental procedure performed (63.31%). The 6 to 16 years old group had a significantly shorter treatment duration (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences were found in all procedures (extraction, restoration, preventive and pulp therapy) and the utilisation of composite, glass ionomer cement (GIC) and compomer in both groups. The use of stainless steel crown (SSC) restorations was significantly higher in the less than six years old group (p < 0.05). Most of the dental procedures performed under GA on healthy children were extraction procedures. Children less than six years of old had a longer treatment duration under GA. Composite restorations and SSC were more frequently used in primary dentition.
Pediatric Dentistry ; Dental Care for Children ; Anesthesia, Dental

ABSTRACT The first dental examination is a major step that is affected by many factors and determines the dental treatment process. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the association of child temperament with child dental anxiety, parental dental anxiety, dental behaviour and dental caries. The study consisted of 100 children aged 3 to 6 who were attending their first dental examination and their accompanying parents. The Facial Image Scale (FIS), Frankl’s Behaviour Scale (FBS), Corah’s Dental Anxiety Scale (CDAS) and the Short Temperament Scale for Children (STSC) were used for assessment. The DMFT (decayed, missing and filled teeth) score of each child was recorded. Children who exhibited negative behaviour on the FBS had the highest rhythmicity scores (p = 0.008). The mean DMFT score of children in the rhythmicity temperamental dimension was relatively high (p = 0.008). The parents of children defined as negative on the FBS had high dental anxiety levels on CDAS (p < 0.001). Children whose parents had higher dental anxiety levels showed higher dental anxiety (p = 0.007). The success rate of dental treatment procedures may be increased by improving dentists’ knowledge of dental anxiety related to the child’s temperament and integrating parental support to reduce dental anxiety.
Dental Care for Children ; Dental Anxiety ; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ; Temperament ; Dental Caries

ABSTRACT This study aimed to determine the fluoride and pH levels of beverages likely to be consumed by children in Malaysia and to estimate daily fluoride intake from consumption of these beverages. A convenience sampling of 120 ready-to-drink beverages were purchased and categorised into 11 groups (UHT recombined milk, fresh milk [pasteurised], cultured milk [probiotic], yogurt beverages, fresh fruit juices, fruit flavoured beverages, soy-based beverages, malt-based beverages, tea, carbonated beverages and bottled waters). Fluoride concentration was measured using a fluoride ion-selective electrode while the pH level was measured using a pH meter. The fluoride concentration in the beverages ranged from 0.02±0.00 mg/L to 2.77±0.06 mg/L. Tea was found to have the highest fluoride concentration. The intake of fluoride from consumption of other types of beverages is below the lowest-observed-adverse-effect level (except tea). The pH of the beverages included in the study ranged from 2.20±0.01 to 7.76±0.00. Carbonated beverages (mean pH: 2.98±0.50) were found to be extremely acidic followed by fresh fruit juices (mean pH: 3.38±0.34) and fruit flavoured beverages (mean pH: 3.90±0.92). The correlation between fluoride and pH levels was weak, τ = 0.058 and not statistically significant (p < 0.35). The majority of the beverages had a low fluoride level and their consumption is unlikely to cause fluorosis except for tea. Almost half of the beverages had a low pH level with carbonated beverages being the most acidic.
Fluoridation ; Carbonated Beverages ; Dental Care for Children ; Acid-Base Imbalance

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively figure out the oral health status, treatment and follow-ups after dental treatment under general anesthesia (DGA) of disabled children or adolescents. METHODS: Clinical data of disabled children or adolescents and normal children as control received DGA in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology from August 2008 to September 2015 were recorded, including: gender, birth date, treatment date, disability type, oral health status before treatment, treatment content and follow-ups (in 1 year). Differences among ages and disabilities were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Sixty-two disabled patients and fifty-seven controls were recruited, mean aged (9.38±5.22) years and (3.00±1.41) years. Most patients had 10 to 15 problem teeth with which the mean number of the disabled children and adolescents was (11.79±4.98) while that of the normal controls was (12.40±4.11). Caries, pulpitis, periapical periodontitis, dental trauma and developmental tooth anomalies of the disabled patients accounted for 67.56%, 13.54%, 15.15%, 1.07%, and 2.68%, respectively and the DMFT/dmft index was 11.55±5.56 while in the control group those were at 65.35%,19.09%,14.14%,0,1.41% and 12.23±4.42. The DMFT/dmft index of the disabled patients in the group 6-12 years (8.35±4.69) was significantly less than that of the other three groups (P<0.01) while no differences were found in disabilities (P=0.239). Resin restoration, pit and fissure sealant, preventive resin restoration, pulpotomy, pulpectomy/RCT, extraction and crown of the disabled patients were performed as 52.71%, 7.24%, 8.56%, 0.72%, 17.13%, 10.01% and 3.62% respectively whereas those made up as 56.31%, 1.27%, 0.13%, 2.29%, 19.87%, 7.90% and 12.23% in the control group. Thirty-five (56.45%) disabled patients and forty-three (75.44%) controls recalled. Problem teeth within one year after operation in diabled patients and controls were both nearly twice as much as the number within half a year. Restoration loss/fractured mainly occurred in anterior primary teeth while secondary/ recurrent caries and pulpitis/perapical periodontitis mostly occurred in primary molars. CONCLUSION Oral health status in our disabled children and adolescents is poor. Though dental treatment under GA is an effective way to improve the oral health of disabled children and adolescents, periodic follow-ups and family oral health care are equal important for oral health maintenance.
Adolescent ; Anesthesia, Dental ; Anesthesia, General ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Dental Care ; Dental Caries ; Dental Restoration Repair/methods* ; Disabled Children ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Molar ; Pediatric Dentistry ; Pit and Fissure Sealants ; Pulpitis ; Retrospective Studies ; Tooth, Deciduous

Children with an intellectual disability often demonstrate lack of cooperation during dental treatment and require behavioral management. A child with mild intellectual disability can be managed adequately using restraints and medication. However, in cases of profound intellectual disability, dental treatment under general anesthesia is usually required. In cases where the patient is an intellectually disabled child who has intellectually disabled parents, it is difficult to evaluate the patient's preoperative condition and to obtain consent for treatment under general anesthesia. Furthermore, they are unable to respond to emergencies after treatment. Therefore, dental treatment should be performed under general anesthesia with hospitalization for children with an intellectual disability. This case presents the dental treatment of an intellectually disabled child, who has intellectually disabled parents, and who required general anesthesia and hospitalization.
Anesthesia, General* ; Child ; Dental Care for Disabled ; Disabled Children* ; Emergencies ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Intellectual Disability ; Parents*

960 pupils between 6 and 12 years old in An Giang province were divided into 4 groups and received different interventions such as fluoride rinse, teeth brushing + ddF rinse, ddF rinse + welding with GIC, and ddF rinse + teeth brushing + welding. These interventions were very effective in protection periodental diseases. Prevalence of good dental health pupils increased significantly. This is a condition to gain WHO’s goals at least 80% primary and secondary pupils receive long-term and stable oral healthcare through school-based dental program in 2010.
Dental Care for Children ; Periodontitis/prevention & control ; Pupil

PURPOSE: This study examined the predictive factors enabling access to children's oral health care at the level of financial barriers, beliefs, and the provider. METHODS: In-depth interviews were conducted with 320 immigrant mothers of low-income families regarding their use of oral health services for children aged four to eight years old. Access to oral health care was measured with frequency of planned dental visits, continuity of care, and age at first visit to dentist. RESULTS: The mother took her child to the dentist at a younger age if she received referrals to a dentist from pediatrician. Regular dental visits were significantly related to household income, provider availability on weekends, and insurance coverage. The extended clinic hours in the evenings, and the belief in the importance of the child's regular dentist visits increased the likelihood of continuing care. The mothers perceiving a cost burden for the child's dental care were also less likely to return to the dentist. CONCLUSION: The available care delivery system, coordinated medical care, and health beliefs were among important predictors of the health service use. The study findings suggest need for culturally competent dental health interventions to enhance access to oral health care among particularly vulnerable populations such as low-income children in Korean communities.
Adult ; Attitude to Health/*ethnology ; Chicago ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Clinical Competence/standards ; Continuity of Patient Care/standards ; Cultural Diversity ; Dental Care for Children/economics/*utilization ; Emigration and Immigration ; Female ; Focus Groups ; Health Care Surveys ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Health Services Accessibility/standards ; Health Services Needs and Demand ; Hispanic Americans/education/*ethnology ; Humans ; Mexico/ethnology ; Mothers/education/*psychology ; Multivariate Analysis ; Nursing Methodology Research ; Poverty/economics/*ethnology ; Puerto Rico/ethnology ; Questionnaires

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this survey was to assess dental knowledge and behaviors of the teachers and mothers of school children.

METHODSAll data was collected from 1365 mothers of first grade students and 215 schoolteachers in Yichang, Hubei by using questionnaires and, analyzed using SPSS software.

RESULTSThe level of dental knowledge was higher among schoolteachers than among mothers; the mothers were mostly informed through television/book (62.4%/51.5%), while teachers received information from various sources, including the dentists (75.3%). Most of the children (94.0%) didn't have practical support from their parents in daily tooth cleaning. Only 18.9% of them visited the dentist at least once per year.

CONCLUSIONThis finding suggested that we should emphasize oral healthy education among mothers and schoolteachers, in order to promote school-based oral health education program.

Adult ; Attitude to Health ; Child ; China ; Dental Care for Children ; statistics & numerical data ; Dental Caries ; prevention & control ; Female ; Health Behavior ; Health Education, Dental ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Male ; Mothers ; Periodontal Diseases ; prevention & control ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Teaching ; Toothbrushing ; statistics & numerical data