41st Annual Charles A. Sweet, Sr. Pediatric Dentistry Memorial Lecture
41st Annual Charles A. Sweet, Sr. Pediatric Dentistry Memorial Lecture
09:00 a.m. - 04:00 p.m.
41st Annual Charles A. Sweet, Sr. Pediatric Dentistry Memorial Lecture
Optimal Use of Minimally Invasive Approaches for Caries Management in Pediatric Dentistry
Although traditional operative dentistry treats caries and restores form and function, it is invasive, technique sensitive, costly and requires significant cooperation from the patient. Many patients are unable to receive this treatment because they are too young, anxious, have medical conditions that limit their cooperation or lack the resources to access care. New scientific concepts, techniques and materials have allowed the introduction of minimal intervention approaches to manage carious lesions that enable us to give patients alternative options. Dr. Crystal will discuss the optimal use of silver diamine fluoride, intermediate therapeutic restorations (ITR), atraumatic restorative technique (ART) and Hall-style crowns as minimal intervention approaches in the management of caries in pediatric dentistry from the specialist’s perspective.
You Will Learn
- To understand the scientific rationale that supports the use of the different minimally invasive approaches
- To review the pros, cons and limitations of each of the minimally invasive approaches discussed, including sealants, SDF, ART/ITR and Hall-style crowns
- To recognize best practices to implement these techniques with success
- To implement minimally invasive approaches to provide patients with optimal individualized treatment
Pulp Therapy Redefined: Biologically Driven Protocols for Primary and Permanent Teeth
Recent breakthroughs in pulp biology and its healing capacity—coupled with the advent of biocompatible materials—have fundamentally shifted how we treat pulpal disease in children and adolescents. Moving away from aggressive, traditional treatments, current national and international guidelines now advocate for a minimally invasive, tiered approach that prioritizes preserving pulp vitality. This presentation will outline practical, evidence-based protocols for diagnosing pulpal status and managing deep versus extremely deep carious lesions. Dr. Crystal will explore the clinical application of modern bioceramics and discuss how integrating these latest recommendations and consensus statements can elevate patient outcomes in a contemporary pediatric practice.
You Will Learn
- To understand the current evidence in pulp biology and the pulp’s healing capacity
- To recognize the limitations for optimal pulp diagnosis and caries removal based on caries involvement (deep caries vs. extremely deep caries)
- To explain the mechanism of action of calcium silicate cements on pulp tissue
- To describe current recommendations for primary and permanent teeth and their role in a minimally invasive practice that promotes more biological approaches
Navigating Remineralization: Separating Cariology Facts from Marketing Fiction
The dental market is flooded with new "remineralizing" agents, each claiming superior efficacy in halting and reversing early carious lesions. For the practicing clinician, cutting through the marketing hype to find evidence-based solutions can be a daunting task. This lecture bridges the gap between foundational cariology and modern clinical practice. We will review the essential micro-anatomy of enamel and dentin, dive into the biochemistry of the oral microbiome and break down the precise chemical dance of demineralization and remineralization. Armed with this scientific foundation, you will learn how to critically evaluate the claims of emerging products on the market and gain the confidence and clarity needed to make evidence-based product recommendations that genuinely improve patient outcomes.
You Will Learn
- To interpret the complex chemistry of demineralization and remineralization, including how the oral microbiome alters the microenvironment of enamel and dentin
- To understand the synergistic roles that calcium, phosphate and fluoride play in structural tooth repair and lesion arrest
- To critically assess the scientific validity and clinical evidence behind new “remineralizing” products to separate marketing claims from clinical reality
- To implement a reliable framework in your daily practice for recommending specific preventive therapies tailored to individual patient caries risks
Who Should Attend
This program is designed for pediatric dentists, general practitioners and the entire dental team who are seeking to elevate their preventative care and treatment protocols with evidence-based clinical recommendations.
Tuition: $395 Dentists; $295 Allied Dental Professionals
Program: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, 155 Fifth Street, SF
Credits: This activity is designated for 6 units of continuing education credits.
Presenter
Yasmi O. Crystal, DMD, MSc, is the founder and senior specialist at Comprehensive Pediatric Dentistry in New Jersey, a clinical professor of pediatric dentistry at NYU College of Dentistry and on the medical staff of the Robert Wood Johnson, Rutgers University Hospital. She is a diplomate and an examiner for the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and holds a MSc in clinical and translational research from CTSI, NYU School of Medicine. She is active in the AAPD, IAPD and IADR, and serves as an editorial board member of Pediatric Dentistry. She has participated in the writing of national and international guidelines to improve the practice of pediatric dentistry and has published numerous research articles. As a researcher, educator and private practitioner with more than 30 years of experience, her presentations blend evidence-based recommendations with down-to-earth approaches for the provision of pediatric dental care in public and private settings.