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Purpose: To determine if a virtual externship (VE) is beneficial to potential applicants regarding their perceived knowledge of a pediatric dentistry residency program. Secondarily, this study identified general program characteristics that influence resident ranking decisions., Methods: All applicants who applied to a pediatric dentistry residency program in the Southeast were invited to participate in a VE. Those who participated in the externship (n = 65) were asked to voluntarily complete Pre- and Post-VE surveys. Participants were asked 22 questions about their level of knowledge of both tangible and intangible aspects of the program such as stipend, patient volume, faculty-resident interaction, and resident comradery. Participants were also asked to rank 9 general characteristics that influence ranking decisions such as geography, cost to attend, and reputation of the program and were asked to rate their satisfaction with the VE. Post-VE data were compared to pre-VE data to determine level of knowledge gained via Wilcoxin matched pairs signed rank test (significance set at p < 0.05)., Results: When comparing Pre- and Post-VE ratings of level of knowledge about each category, all 22 categories assessed showed statistically significant mean differences indicating perceived knowledge gain with the most knowledge gained for "resident satisfaction in the program." Of the nine program characteristics, clinical experience was the most important factor to participants. Participants (100%) were satisfied with the VE experience and indicated the VE gave them the opportunity to get to know the program., Conclusions: A virtual externship is a satisfactory option for increasing applicant knowledge of the tangible and intangible aspects of a residency program., (© 2023 American Dental Education Association.)

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of different types of instructional styles-traditional lecture with and without video examples and contemporary format that simulated a flipped classroom-on dental students' learning of behavior guidance techniques (BGTs) in pediatric dentistry. The study also sought to determine if students had an improved comfort level with BGTs with these instructional methods, if videos improved learning and comfort with BGTs, and if there were differences in outcomes by gender. All 96 second-year dental students at one U.S. dental school were recruited to participate in the study in 2017. Students were randomly divided into three groups: contemporary instruction (CI), traditional instruction with video (TIV), and traditional instruction with no video (TI). CI students watched a 20-minute mini-lecture and were divided into discussion groups led by calibrated faculty members. TIV students received 50 minutes of traditional lecture with video examples. TI students received a traditional lecture with no video examples. All groups completed a questionnaire prior to and on completion of the course. The questionnaire assessed students' learning and perceptions of the learning experience. All students participated in the course and the assessments, for a 100% response rate. The students' post-course scores improved for all teaching methods (TI>CI>TIV) with no significant differences among them. CI students rated comfort with BGTs and usefulness of videos higher than the other groups, but the difference was not statistically significant. Students rated their satisfaction with and usefulness of the course high for all groups (>3 on a four-point scale). Learning style and comfort treating children were not statistically significant by gender. Overall, the students reported high satisfaction with all the teaching methods. Although the differences were not statistically significant, discussion groups were ranked highest in satisfaction and usefulness.

Unlabelled: Women's presence in pediatric dentistry has dramatically increased over the past several decades. Women now comprise almost 50 percent of AAPD membership and almost 75 percent of new members., Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to determine differences between male and female pediatric dentists relative to practice patterns and use of behavior guidance techniques (BGTs)., Methods: A web-based survey was sent to 511 pediatric dentists who had been recruited by the AAPD to participate in a series of surveys related to pediatric dentistry., Results: Fifty-nine percent of dentists responded. Fifty-two percent of the respondents were male and 48 percent were female. Female respondents were significantly younger than male respondents. Males were more likely to own a practice and hold leadership positions in dentistry while females were more likely to work as faculty, staff dentists, or part-time in private practice. No significant differences were noted between the genders relative to the use of BGTs, though females tended to involve parents more and were more likely to report the use of protective stabilization in selected situations. Both genders reported that parenthood had an effect on their behavior guidance styles.

Purpose/objectives: To survey potential applicants applying to advanced education in pediatric dental programs and evaluate their preparedness upon graduating from an accredited dental school. Methods: Attendees of a virtual externship of a University program were recruited to participate in a web‐based survey. The survey collected demographic data, current levels of confidence with various pediatric clinical procedures, predicted confidence with those procedures, and number of procedures completed. Chi‐Square and analysis of variance statistics were performed on resulting data to determine statistical significance. Results: Fifty‐three participants completed the survey in its entirety (n = 53). Most respondents reported adequate didactic training, mean score of 3.6 (range 0–5) and a moderate to high impact of coronavirus disease 2019 on their overall training with a mean score of 4.9 (range 0–10). Current dental students reported that they are "not confident at all" (<2.0) for 15/24 (63%) of the procedures. Graduates reported "somewhat confident" (<3.0) for 13/24 (54%) of the categories. Both students and graduates report the lowest levels of confidence for managing dental trauma, invasive treatment of young patients (<4 years of age), and patients with special healthcare needs. Dental students self‐reported the expectation to feel more confident throughout their matriculation; however, their clinical experience was still reported to be limited. Students did not report reaching the level of "confident" for 75% of the procedures. Conclusion: Dental students and recent dental graduates alike perceive themselves to be under prepared for practice and do not feel confident in performing pediatric dental procedures. This study can provide dental schools, program directors, recent graduates, and dental students with an understanding of areas where they are under prepared and could offer areas where curricula and clinical experiences could be updated or modified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Since pediatric zirconia crowns (ZRCs) are prefabricated, they may be sterilized following try-in for re-use. Possible changes in color stability, gloss, and translucency were evaluated for four brands of prefabricated zirconia crowns following autoclave and cold sterilization. Methods: Sixteen maxillary right central incisor prefabricated ZRCs were obtained from NuSmile®, Sprig, Cheng Crowns, and Kinder Krowns® manufacturers and either autoclaved or cold sterilized. Gloss unit measurements were obtained with a small object Novo-Curve glossmeter. CIE-L*a*b* system values were measured with a CM-700d spectrophotometer under three different illuminants to calculate DE (quantitative representation of the perceived color). ΔE equals one was used for perceptibility threshold (PT) and ΔE equals 2.7 for acceptability threshold (AT). Results: All groups' baseline was ΔE less than one for all illuminants except Cheng Crowns to be autoclaved, indicating crowns are not identical in color from the manufacturer. For autoclaving, Cheng Crowns reached ΔE PT greater than one following the 10th sterilization cycle for all illuminants (D65 1.08±0.32 (standard deviation; P<0.001), A equals 1.07±0.32 (P<0.001), and F2 equals 1.25±0.38 (P<0.001). For cold sterilization, Sprig EZCrowns reached PT greater than one for all sterilization cycles, and Cheng Crowns reached ΔE PT greater than one for the sixth and 10th sterilization cycles. Gloss was not affected by either sterilization method. Spring EZcrowns had the highest mean translucency. Conclusions: Although each group may have a slight perceived difference, there was no clinically significant difference in color; all groups remained below the acceptability threshold of ΔE equals 2.7. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a companion canine on physiologic responses, discomfort level, and behavior in children undergoing sealant placement using a dental isolation system (Isodry®). Methods: Forty-seven healthy six- to 10-year-olds who needed sealants were randomly assigned to a control group (n=23) or experimental group (n=24) that utilized an emotional support canine in the child's lap. Preoperative baseline anxiety was obtained. Pulse, pulse oximetry, and behavior (measured by Frankl and Houpt scales) were recorded at various time points (beginning, at first sealant placement, switching the isolation system to the other side, second side sealant placement, and end) throughout the procedure. Participants reported a comfort level utilizing the FACES scale. Participants in the intervention group were asked, "Did you like having the dog in your lap?" The dentist rated the difficulty of and time required for the procedure. Results: Baseline anxiety was similar; no significant differences in physiologic measurements or FACES ratings were found between groups. The intervention group had significantly lower Houpt ratings for all three variables when the isolation system was repositioned (P=0.002, P=0.03, and P=0.05) and had higher Frankl scores at isolation repositioning and when completing sealants on the second side (P=0.02 and P=0.03, respectively). Both groups had similar ratings from the dentist. Conclusions: Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) should be studied more rigorously to substantiate its effectiveness in enhancing cooperative behavior in children for dental procedures. High levels of satisfaction were observed among pediatric users of AAT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the microleakage of atraumatic glass ionomer restorations with and without silver diammine fluoride (SDF) application. Restorations with SDF are termed silver-modified atraumatic restorations (SMART). Methods: Sixty carious extracted permanent teeth were randomly allocated to two SMART groups and two control groups (n equals 15 per group) for a total of four groups. After selective caries removal, test specimens were treated with 38 percent SDF and polyacrylic acid conditioner was applied and rinsed; teeth were restored with Fuji IX GP® glass ionomer (n equals 15) or with SMART Advantage™ glass ionomer (SAGI; n equals 15). For control groups, specimens were restored with their respective GI material after selective caries removal, both without SDF. Restored teeth were placed in Dulbecco's Phosphate-Buffered Saline solution at 37 degrees Celsius for 24 hours. Teeth were thermocycled between five and 55 degrees Celsius for 1,000 cycles, stained with two percent basic fuchsin, sectioned, and visually inspected for microleakage utilizing stereomicroscopy on a four-point scale. Data were statistically analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance on ranks using Dunn's method (P<0.05). Results: Microleakage between the two SMART restoration groups was insignificant. SAGI alone demonstrated significantly more microleakage than all other groups. There was no statistical significance between the Fuji IX GP® control group and the two SMART restoration groups. Conclusions: This in vitro study indicated that silver diammine fluoride placed before glass ionomer restoration does not increase microleakage. Polyacrylic acid may be used after SDF placement without increasing microleakage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical success of and parental satisfaction with anterior pediatric zirconia crowns.Methods: A retrospective analysis of maxillary anterior pediatric zirconia crowns was performed. Crowns were evaluated for retention, gingival health, color match, contour, marginal integrity, and opposing tooth wear. Parental satisfaction regarding the esthetics of the crowns and parental perception of the impact of treatment on the child's appearance and oral health were evaluated by questionnaire.Results: Fifty-seven crowns were evaluated in 18 children. Eight teeth were lost to exfoliation, three were extracted due to pathology, and two crowns debonded, leaving 44 available for examination. The average crown age at time of examination was 20.8 months. Sixteen crowns (36 percent) displayed gingival inflammation and color mismatch. No recurrent caries or opposing tooth wear was noted. Parents reported high satisfaction with the color, size, and shape of the crowns. The majority of parents reported that crowns improved the appearance and oral health of their child (78 percent and 83 percent, respectively). Eight-nine percent of parents reported that they would highly recommend these crowns.Conclusions: Zirconia crowns are clinically acceptable restorations in the primary maxillary anterior dentition. Parental satisfaction with zirconia crowns is high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the opinions of parents about oral sedation in pediatric dentistry.Methods: A 21-question questionnaire, administered to parents of children presenting for care in four pediatric dental practices, collected demographic information, media exposure to sedation, and parental knowledge/opinions regarding sedation procedures, such as NPO (nothing by mouth) guidelines, need for restraint, parental presence, and parental acceptance of treatment scenarios.Results: Among 256 questionnaires completed, 235 were usable. Fifty-eight percent of respondents reported using public insurance. Parents agreed/strongly agreed (75 percent) that protective stabilization should not be necessary during sedation, and 87 percent preferred to stay with their child during the appointment. No parents perceived sedation as unsafe. Seventy-three percent of parents were unaware of media coverage of sedation; 82 percent reported it was acceptable for their child to sleep through a sedation appointment, while only 18 percent found it acceptable for the child to be highly reactive.Conclusions: Parents prefer to remain with their child, believe that sedation is safe and restraint should not be necessary, and are more accepting of the child sleeping during treatment. Most parents are unaware of media coverage of dental sedation for children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine if aggressiveness of primary tooth preparation varied among different brands of zirconia and stainless steel (SSC) crowns.Methods: One hundred primary typodont teeth were divided into five groups (10 posterior and 10 anterior) and assigned to: Cheng Crowns (CC); EZ Pedo (EZP); Kinder Krowns (KKZ); NuSmile (NSZ); and SSC. Teeth were prepared, and assigned crowns were fitted. Teeth were weighed prior to and after preparation. Weight changes served as a surrogate measure of tooth reduction.Results: Analysis of variance showed a significant difference in tooth reduction among brand/type for both the anterior and posterior. Tukey's honest significant difference test (HSD), when applied to anterior data, revealed that SSCs required significantly less tooth removal compared to the composite of the four zirconia brands, which showed no significant difference among them. Tukey's HSD test, applied to posterior data, revealed that CC required significantly greater removal of crown structure, while EZP, KKZ, and NSZ were statistically equivalent, and SSCs required significantly less removal.Conclusions: Zirconia crowns required more tooth reduction than stainless steel crowns for primary anterior and posterior teeth. Tooth reduction for anterior zirconia crowns was equivalent among brands. For posterior teeth, reduction for three brands (EZ Pedo, Kinder Krowns, NuSmile) did not differ, while Cheng Crowns required more reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Dentists recommend over-the-counter medications for postoperative pain in children, and parents often make dosing errors when administering these medications. The authors compared the dosing accuracy when parents used various measuring devices and aimed to identify risk factors associated with dosing errors. Methods. The authors recruited parent-child pairs visiting the Pediatric Clinic at the College of Dentistry at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, and three private dental offices. The parents completed a survey and a liquid measuring exercise. The authors instructed parents to measure 5 milliliters of liquid by using a medicine cup with clear markings, a medicine cup with printed markings, a cylindrical measuring spoon and an oral syringe. For the medicine cup with printed markings, the authors placed the parents randomly into one of two groups: those receiving text-only instructions or those receiving text-pictogram instructions. The authors weighed each device before and after the measuring exercise and compared the difference in weight with a reference weight of 5 mL. Results. A total of f 20 parent-child pairs participated. The results of a McNemar test revealed a significant difference in parents' ability to measure accurate doses with the various devices. The results of a Pearson x2 test showed no statistically significant difference between the control and study groups for dosing accuracy. The X2 analysis results showed no significant differences in risk factors that could be associated with dosing errors. Conclusions. Medicine cups were the devices parents reported using most frequently. Medicine cups had a higher occurrence of dosing errors when compared with the other devices. No sociodemographic factors were associated with dosing errors. Practical Implications. Dentists can improve pain management in pediatric patients by educating parents about accurate measuring devices, weight-based dosing and correct interpretation of medication dosing charts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare microleakage of prefabricated posterior NuSmiie ® ZR and EZCrowns when cemented with BioCem and Ketac Cem dental cements. Methods: Forty extracted permanent teeth (n equals 10 per group) were fitted for either NuSmiie or EZCrowns prefabricated posterior zirconia crowns and cemented with BioCem or Ketac Cem, for a total of four groups. Crowned teeth were placed in Dulbecco's Phosphate Buffered Saline solution at 37 degrees Celsius for 24 hours. Teeth were thermocycled between five degrees Celsius and 55 degrees Celsius fo r 6,000 cycles, stained with two percent basic fuchsin, sectioned and visually inspected for microleakage utilizing stereomicroscopy on a four-point scale. Data were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance, SNK (P<.05). Resuits: All samples in this study had microleakage. NuSmiie ® ZR crowns demonstrated significantly less microleakage when cemented with BioCem and compared to Ketac Cem (P=.002). NuSmiie ® ZR cemented with BioCem had significantly less microleakage compared to EZCrowns with Ketac Cem (P=.002). Conclusions: In this in vitro investigation, BioCem cement had significantly less microleakage in zirconia prefabricated crowns compared to Ketac Cem, and NuSmiie® ZR crowns cemented with BioCem resulted in significantly less microleakage than EZCrowns cemented with Ketac Cem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]