Restorative
Purpose: Non-surgical pediatric caries management techniques such as Silver Diamine Fluoride and Hall-style crowns are minimally invasive and have been proven to be alternative and superior management techniques, as compared to traditional restorative techniques, when treating carious lesions in primary teeth. The aim of this study is to assess and compare the extent such minimally invasive dental (MID) techniques have been incorporated into predoctoral pediatric dental school curriculums in the United States and Europe.
Methods: A RedCap survey was distributed in January 2022 to those in charge of the predoctoral pediatric dentistry curriculum in United States dental schools, as identified by the American Association of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) contact list. The same RedCap survey was distributed in January 2023 to a convenience sample of predoctoral pediatric dentistry curriculum experts in Europe. Results from both surveys were compared to assess the scope of MID in European and United States schools. Additionally, European participants were invited to take part in a follow-up interview that asked more in-depth questions regarding both the didactic and clinical portion of their predoctoral pediatric dentistry curriculum.
Results: Results are pending and will be finalized and ready by the time of poster presentation.
Conclusion: To be finalized after data collection is complete.