Teledentistry adoption and applications: An American Dental Association Clinical Evaluators Panel survey.

BACKGROUND: The rise of teleworking technologies has affected various industries, including dentistry. Although some dentists have used it for some time, many are discovering the benefits of incorporating this technology to complement their existing patient care capabilities. METHODS: To assess how clinicians are using teledentistry in their practices, an electronic survey was developed and deployed to the American Dental Association Clinical Evaluators (ACE) Panel on February 27, 2023. The survey link remained open for 2 weeks. Nonrespondents received reminders after 1 week. RESULTS: Of the 244 respondents (24% response rate), 30% use teledentistry in their practices, with more than one-half of those using synchronous (53%) or asynchronous teledentistry (63%). The most common reasons for incorporating teledentistry were increased convenience for patients (53%), COVID-19 (50%), and increased accessibility to providers (39%). Teledentistry can help serve patients of all ages (the lowest represented age group [0-5 years] had 42% of dentists treating them) and distances, with 63% of teledentistry patients fewer than 20 miles away. Most users adopted teledentistry within the past 3 years and use it fewer than 5 hours per month. Benefits cited include a reduced number of in-person patient visits (63%) and increased access and quality of care (57%). Among nonusers, 60% felt there was no need, and 39% had concerns with reimbursement. CONCLUSIONS: Teledentistry has gained popularity in since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic but may be underused, despite its potential to benefit a wider range of patients and applications than many believe. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Education on the capabilities and benefits of teledentistry may help increase adoption and improve patient care.

Immediate Vacuum Formed Overdenture for a Pediatric Patient with Ectodermal Dysplasia.

Restoring the dental and facial esthetics in a growing patient with ectodermal dysplasia (ED) is fundamental to improve psychosocial issues, esthetics, and function. The purpose of this clinical report was to present a simple, fast, and cost-effective technique to re-establish a pleasant smile of an eight-year-old male patient with hypohydrotic ED. A vacuum-formed overdenture prosthesis is described, which is recommended as an immediate interim restorative treatment in the maxillary arch with excellent stability and retention.

Imperfect hybrid layers created by an aggressive one-step self-etch adhesive in primary dentin are amendable to biomimetic remineralization in vitro.

Degradation of hybrid layers created in primary dentin occurs as early as 6 months in vivo. Biomimetic remineralization utilizes "bottom-up" nanotechnology principles for interfibrillar and intrafibrillar remineralization of collagen matrices. This study examined whether imperfect hybrid layers created in primary dentin can be remineralized. Coronal dentin surfaces were prepared from extracted primary molars and bonded using Adper Prompt L-Pop and a composite. One-millimeter-thick specimen slabs of the resin-dentin interface were immersed in a Portland cement-based remineralization medium that contained two biomimetic analogs to mimic the sequestration and templating functions of dentin noncollagenous proteins. Specimens were retrieved after 1-6 months. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used for evaluating the permeability of hybrid layers to Rhodamine B. Transmission electron microscopy was used to examine the status of remineralization within hybrid layers. Remineralization at different locations of the hybrid layers corresponded with quenching of fluorescence within similar locations of those hybrid layers. Remineralization was predominantly intrafibrillar in nature as interfibrillar spaces were filled with adhesive resin. Biomimetic remineralization of imperfect hybrid layers in primary human dentin is a potential means for preserving bond integrity. The success of the current proof-of-concept, laterally diffusing remineralization protocol warrants development of a clinically applicable biomimetic remineralization delivery system.

Age and gender differences in the use of behavior management techniques by pediatric dentists.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated differences in the use of behavior management techniques among older and younger male and female pediatric dentists. METHODS: We surveyed all active members of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry residing in the U.S. and Canada. Responses were received from 2467 (59%). The survey contained items on age, gender, and use of behavior management techniques. RESULTS: Males respondents outnumbered females 2:1. Age categories were dichotomized as < 46 and > or = 46 years. Females constituted 53% of the younger group and 14% of the older group. Four gender/age categories were used. A minority indicated that they used hand-over-mouth and active immobilization of sedated patients. No significant differences by groups were seen for use of most basic behavior management techniques. Significant differences by gender/age distribution were seen for the use of non-verbal communication and advanced techniques. Most differences in anticipated changes in technique use were age-related. Most favored parental presence in the operatory, though older males were significantly less likely to allow parental presence for some procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Some statistically significant differences in the use of behavior management techniques exist between older and younger male and female pediatric dentists. Overall, however, the 4 gender/age groups report similar frequencies of use of the techniques surveyed in this study.

Magnetic retention of dental prostheses in a child with ectodermal dysplasia.

BACKGROUND: Ectodermal dysplasia (ED) is a group of heterogeneous disorders that result in hypodontia. In pediatric patients with ED, using prostheses to restore form and function can be a challenge. CASE DESCRIPTION: The authors present a case report that demonstrates a technique using magnets to enhance the retention of maxillary and mandibular prostheses in a 9-year-old boy. CLINICAL IMPLICATION: The case report introduces an alternative prosthetic design for children who have ED.

Sealing properties of mineral trioxide aggregate orthograde apical plugs and root fillings in an in vitro apexification model.

One-visit mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) apexification is gaining in popularity over the use of calcium hydroxide barriers. This study examined the sealing properties of two MTA apexification procedures using an in vitro apexification model. White MTA was introduced into instrumented single-rooted canals with standardized artificially created open apices to form 3- to 5-mm-thick orthograde apical plugs or complete orthograde fillings of the root segments. The remaining canal spaces in the former group were backfilled with thermoplasticized gutta-percha without a sealer. A Flodec fluid filtration device was used to record fluid flow across filled root canals at 48 hours and after 4 weeks of immersion in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Although MTA root fillings exhibited a better seal than MTA apical plugs at 48 hours, seals of these two groups were not significantly different after 4 weeks. Interaction of MTA with PBS may result in apatite deposition that improves the seal of MTA apical plugs with time.

Survey of behavior management teaching in predoctoral pediatric dentistry programs.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to survey directors of predoctoral pediatric dentistry programs regarding the teaching of behavior management techniques. METHODS: Surveys were mailed to all 56 dental schools in the United States. Follow-up mailings were sent to nonrespondents. The survey contained items on program demographics and the program's teaching of communicative and pharmacologic techniques. Information was also obtained on informed consent and parental presence in the operatory. RESULTS: Surveys were returned by 48 schools. Two schools declined to respond because they had not yet accepted or graduated students. The final response rate was 89%. The mean (+/-SD) percentage of total didactic time devoted to behavior management was 12% (+/-6). Communicative techniques were taught as "acceptable" by 96% to 100% of programs, with the exception of the hand-over-mouth exercise (HOME). HOME was taught as "unacceptable" by 62% of programs. Active and passive immobilization of sedated and nonsedated children was taught as "acceptable" by 69% to 85% of programs. Sixty-seven percent to 98% of programs taught that pharmacologic techniques (nitrous oxide, conscious sedation, general anesthesia) are "acceptable." There was little evidence that the teaching of behavior management techniques had changed over the previous 5 years, nor that they were likely to change in the near future. Parental presence in the operatory was common for some procedures, particularly among younger children. CONCLUSIONS: Predoctoral programs teach as acceptable communicative and pharmacologic management techniques, with the exception of HOME. Predoctoral program directors report they are not likely to increase the amount of curricular time devoted to behavior management in the near future.

A survey of members of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry on their use of behavior management techniques.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to survey members of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) regarding their use of behavior management techniques. METHODS: Surveys were mailed to 4,180 members, with a follow-up mailing to nonrespondents 2 months later. The survey contained items on demographic variables and use (current, past, and future) of communicative and pharmacologic techniques. Information was also obtained on informed consent, parental presence in the operatory, and parenting styles. RESULTS: Survey response was 66%. Communicative techniques are widely used, with the exception of the hand-over-mouth exercise (HOME). Immobilization for sedated and nonsedated children and pharmacologic techniques are used by a majority or near majority of respondents. Little change was reported in technique use over time, except that 50% of respondents indicated they use HOME less now than 5 years ago, and 24% plan to use it less over the next 2 to 3 years. Parental presence in the operatory appeared to be a common practice for some procedures and for children with special health care needs. The majority of respondents believed that parenting styles had changed in ways that adversely impacted children's behavior in the dental setting. CONCLUSIONS: Most practitioners have not changed their use of behavior management techniques in recent years, nor do they plan to change their use of them in the near future. HOME was the exception to these trends.

Survey of behavior management teaching in pediatric dentistry advanced education programs.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to survey pediatric dentistry advanced education program directors regarding the teaching of behavior management techniques. METHODS: Surveys were mailed to all (65) advanced education programs in the United States. Follow-up mailings were sent to nonrespondents. The survey contained items on program demographics and the program's teaching of communicative and pharmacologic techniques. Information was also obtained on informed consent and parental presence in the operatory. RESULTS: Surveys were returned by 54 programs. Two programs declined to respond because they had not yet accepted or certified residents. The final response rate was 86%. The mean percentage (+/- SD) of total didactic time devoted to behavior management was 13% (+/-9.5). Communicative techniques were taught as "acceptable" by 98% of programs, with the exception of the hand-over-mouth exercise (HOME), which was taught as "unacceptable" by 54% of programs. Active and passive immobilization of sedated and nonsedated children was taught as "acceptable" by 76% to 98% of programs. All programs taught that pharmacologic techniques (nitrous oxide, conscious sedation, general anesthesia) are "acceptable." There was little evidence that the teaching of behavior management techniques had changed over the previous 5 years, nor that it is likely to change in the near future. Parental presence in the operatory was common for some procedures, particularly among younger children. CONCLUSIONS: Most programs do not teach HOME as an acceptable behavior management technique. The amount of curricular time devoted to behavior management is not likely to change appreciably in the near future.