Oral hygiene practice and home-care challenges in children with autism spectrum disorder in San Francisco: Cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by challenges in social interaction, communication, and stereotypical patterns of behavior. They are more likely to have tooth brushing issues and need help with routine dental care. Children with ASD could face difficulty in accessing dental care as the parents have a challenging task in finding a dentist that would treat the child with special needs.

Opioid and Multi-Drug Pediatric Dental Sedation: A Narrative Review.

Pharmacological behavior guidance has long been a mainstay of pediatric dental care. Behavioral limitations of very young children and dental fear in adolescents and children with special health care needs have made sedation and general anesthesia important to quality care delivery for these populations. The purposes of this review are to provide a broad perspective on the historical and contemporary use of sedation in pediatric dentistry, summarize available data on the safety and efficacy of opioid and multi-drug moderate sedation protocols, and consider the growing role of minimal intervention dentistry and the importance of patient and medication selection.

Sedation and Anesthesia for the Adolescent Dental Patient.

This article focuses on sedation/anesthesia of adolescent patients in the dental setting. Preoperative evaluation, treatment planning, monitoring, and management are critical components to successful sedation. The authors discuss commonly administered agents and techniques to adolescents, including nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesia.

Stress and coping strategies in pediatric dental residents.

Purpose/objectives: This study examines the amount and sources of stress, as well as coping strategies, exercise, and alcohol use, among pediatric dental residents in the United States.

Methods: One hundred fifty pediatric dental residents (n = 76 postgraduate year [PGY] 1; n = 74 PGY2) in 2-year residency programs responded to an anonymous survey that included demographic questions, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Graduate Dental Environment Stress Scale (GDES), Tactics For Coping With Stress Inventory, and questions about alcohol consumption and exercise.

Results: Stress scores were moderate (mean PSS = 16.

Comparing the Efficacy of a Compound Topical Anesthetic Versus Benzocaine: A Pilot Study.

To compare the effectiveness of a combination of 10% lidocaine, 10% prilocaine, and 4% tetracaine versus 20% benzocaine for use as a topical anesthetic agent prior to dental injections. A double-blind randomized prospective clinical trial was conducted with 26 participants receiving a topical anesthetic of 20% benzocaine (control) and 26 participants receiving a compound topical anesthetic mixture of 10% lidocaine, 10% prilocaine, and 4% tetracaine (experimental) prior to a maxillary infiltration injection. The procedure was conducted by 1 operator with the Wand injection system.

Clinical Performance of the DentalVibe® Injection System on Pain Perception During Local Anesthesia in Children.

The purpose of this study was to clinically compare injection pain experience in children using three methods. This was a randomized clinical trial conducted among 150 children (81 girls, 69 boys), from seven to 14 years of age, who required operative dental treatment. Fifty patients were randomized into one of three groups: DentalVibe, manual stimulation, or no stimulation (control).

Trends in General Anesthesia Utilization by Board-Certified Pediatric Dentists.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the trends and utilization of general anesthesia services among board-certified pediatric dentists practicing in the United States.

Methods: A 26 item survey was sent to 4,216 board-certified pediatric dentists by REDCap or mail. Results were tabulated, and trends were analyzed.

Comparison of Two Morphine-Benzodiazepine-Hydroxyzine Combinations for the Oral Sedation of Pediatric Dental Patients: A Retrospective Study.

Purpose: To investigate the effectiveness of oral morphine sulfate regimens in sedating pediatric dental patients and assess whether pre-sedation disposition and willingness to take the sedative were related to the outcome of the sedation.

Methods: The sedation records of 271 pediatric dental patients sedated with oral morphine were reviewed. Children were either sedated with regimen one (morphine plus midazolam plus hydroxyzine) or regimen two (morphine plus diazepam plus hydroxyzine).

Orthodontic Services Provided by Pediatric Dentists in California.

A survey was conducted in 2013 to document trends in orthodontic treatment provided by members of the California Society of Pediatric Dentistry (CSPD). A 21-item survey was mailed to all active members of CSPD. Active members of CSPD spent less time and treated fewer orthodontic conditions in their practice.

Association between body mass index and dental age in Hispanic children.

The purpose of this prospective cross-sectional study was to determine whether body mass index (BMI) is associated with dental development in Hispanic children when compared to their chronologic age and expected dental development. The study enrolled 265 healthy (American Society of Anesthesiology Class I), 6- to 12-year-old Hispanic children. A BMI was calculated from each child's height and weight, and a panoramic radiograph was taken at the same appointment.

Oral Sedation Postdischarge Adverse Events in Pediatric Dental Patients.

The study investigated patient discharge parameters and postdischarge adverse events after discharge among children who received oral conscious sedation for dental treatment. This prospective study involved 51 patients needing dental treatment under oral conscious sedation. Each patient received one of various regimens involving combinations of a narcotic (ie, morphine or meperidine), a sedative-hypnotic (ie, chloral hydrate), a benzodiazepine (ie, midazolam or diazepam), and/or an antihistamine (ie, hydroxyzine HCl).

Materials used to restore class II lesions in primary molars: a survey of California pediatric dentists.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine which materials were most commonly used by pediatric dentists in California to restore Class II lesions in the primary dentition.

Methods: A questionnaire consisting of 18 multiple-choice questions was mailed to all 440 active members of the California Society of Pediatric Dentistry (CSPD). The questions related to the practitioners' material of choice for restoring Class II lesions in primary molars.