Pediatric Dentistry
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
Pediatric Dentistry includes the various oral disciplines applied and adapted to individuals who are growing and developing, i.e. children and adolescents. In contrast to the majority of other oral subjects, the pediatric dentistry area is interdisciplinary and incorporates the professional issues that occur during childhood. Teaching in pediatric dentistry gives students the clinical and theoretical qualifications required to maintain the dental health of children and adolescents. By the end of the course, the student should be able to: differentiate between normal and abnormal development of teeth; guide the habits of the parents, the child and adolescent to promote oral health; diagnose the child and adolescent's oral health problems and plan appropriate therapy; implement a scientifically-based, effective program of primary prevention for children and adolescents; supervise the developing occlusion in such a manner that selected malocclusion can be prevented and/or intercepted.
Expected learning outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the students should be able to recognize and discuss:
- Normal tooth development, tooth eruption and shedding in primary and secondary dentition and deviation from the norm (numerical and morphological);
- Developmental defects of tooth tissues,
- Communicating with paediatric patients at different stages of development, getting the patient to cooperate and to feel safe in normal treatment situations;
- Epidemiology of caries and aetiological factors in caries in children;
- The etiology and treatment of early childhood caries
- Efficacy of fluoride in caries prevention;
- Fissure sealants in caries prevention;
- Principles for non-operative and operative caries treatment
- Indications for various forms of pulp therapy in primary and young permanent teeth in relation to caries and traumas;
- Epidemiology and aetiology of dental traumas;
- Treatment options in the case of traumatized teeth;
- Consequences and elimination of oral habits;
- Consequences of early tooth loss and space maintenance.
- Oral health medical conditions and oral manifestations associated with pathological and general illness in children.
- Normal tooth development, tooth eruption and shedding in primary and secondary dentition and deviation from the norm (numerical and morphological);
- Developmental defects of tooth tissues,
- Communicating with paediatric patients at different stages of development, getting the patient to cooperate and to feel safe in normal treatment situations;
- Epidemiology of caries and aetiological factors in caries in children;
- The etiology and treatment of early childhood caries
- Efficacy of fluoride in caries prevention;
- Fissure sealants in caries prevention;
- Principles for non-operative and operative caries treatment
- Indications for various forms of pulp therapy in primary and young permanent teeth in relation to caries and traumas;
- Epidemiology and aetiology of dental traumas;
- Treatment options in the case of traumatized teeth;
- Consequences and elimination of oral habits;
- Consequences of early tooth loss and space maintenance.
- Oral health medical conditions and oral manifestations associated with pathological and general illness in children.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge of embryology and anatomy of the oral cavity
Knowledge of the etiopathogenesis of caries and periodontal disease
Basic concepts of epidemiology in health care
Knowledge of the basis of prevention of the main oral pathologies
Concepts regarding restorative and endodontics treatments
Knowledge of the etiopathogenesis of caries and periodontal disease
Basic concepts of epidemiology in health care
Knowledge of the basis of prevention of the main oral pathologies
Concepts regarding restorative and endodontics treatments
Assessment methods and Criteria
The assessment will consist of an oral examination aimed at evaluating the student's ability to organize and articulate acquired knowledge, engage in critical reasoning regarding the study conducted, and apply concepts to concrete case scenarios presented by the examiner. The clarity of presentation and proficiency in the use of specialized terminology will also be assessed. The final grade will be communicated immediately and recorded through the university's online system.
Paediatric dentistry
Course syllabus
· Normal tooth development, eruption, and exfoliation in primary and permanent dentition, and deviations from the norm (in number and morphology);
· Developmental defects of dental tissues;
· Communication with pediatric patients at different developmental stages, promoting patient cooperation during routine treatment procedures;
· Epidemiology and etiological factors of dental caries in children;
· Etiology and treatment of early childhood caries (ECC);
· Effectiveness of fluoride in caries prevention;
· Use of sealants in caries prevention;
· Principles of operative and non-operative caries management;
· Indications for various types of pulp therapy in primary teeth and immature permanent teeth;
· Epidemiology and etiology of dental trauma;
· Treatment options for coronal/root fractures or avulsions in primary or permanent teeth in pediatric patients;
· Interception and elimination of non-nutritive oral habits;
· Consequences of premature loss of primary teeth and space maintenance strategies;
· Management of oral health in patients with special needs.
· Developmental defects of dental tissues;
· Communication with pediatric patients at different developmental stages, promoting patient cooperation during routine treatment procedures;
· Epidemiology and etiological factors of dental caries in children;
· Etiology and treatment of early childhood caries (ECC);
· Effectiveness of fluoride in caries prevention;
· Use of sealants in caries prevention;
· Principles of operative and non-operative caries management;
· Indications for various types of pulp therapy in primary teeth and immature permanent teeth;
· Epidemiology and etiology of dental trauma;
· Treatment options for coronal/root fractures or avulsions in primary or permanent teeth in pediatric patients;
· Interception and elimination of non-nutritive oral habits;
· Consequences of premature loss of primary teeth and space maintenance strategies;
· Management of oral health in patients with special needs.
Teaching methods
The course includes lectures that, in addition to providing the theoretical foundations of the subject, incorporate the presentation of clinical cases designed to stimulate students' active participation in open discussion. This format encourages clinical reasoning, allowing students to engage with diagnostic hypotheses and therapeutic options. All lecture materials, including slides, are made available to students.
The program also features a practical internship, during which students can apply their knowledge chairside by interacting with pediatric patients and performing preventive and therapeutic treatments on primary and mixed dentition under supervision.
The program also features a practical internship, during which students can apply their knowledge chairside by interacting with pediatric patients and performing preventive and therapeutic treatments on primary and mixed dentition under supervision.
Teaching Resources
A.C. Cameron e R.P. Widner. Handbook of Pediatric Dentistry, 4th Edition. Mosby Elsevie
Pediatrics
Course syllabus
· Evaluation of children presenting with skin rashes or fever;
· Pediatric infectious diseases: recognizing oral manifestations of systemic conditions and first-level management;
· Pediatric autoimmune diseases: recognizing oral manifestations of systemic conditions and first-level management;
· Analgesics and antibiotics: indications and differences between pediatric and adult use;
· Recognizing syndromic features in children;
· Recognition and management of emergencies (allergic reactions and airway obstruction due to foreign bodies)
· Pediatric infectious diseases: recognizing oral manifestations of systemic conditions and first-level management;
· Pediatric autoimmune diseases: recognizing oral manifestations of systemic conditions and first-level management;
· Analgesics and antibiotics: indications and differences between pediatric and adult use;
· Recognizing syndromic features in children;
· Recognition and management of emergencies (allergic reactions and airway obstruction due to foreign bodies)
Teaching methods
The course is structured as a series of lectures with a strong case-based learning approach. In addition to presenting the fundamental concepts of the discipline, real and illustrative clinical cases are discussed. These cases typically begin with oral cavity manifestations suggestive of systemic diseases and are used to actively engage students, fostering the development of clinical reasoning. Through open discussion, students are guided toward diagnostic hypotheses and therapeutic decision-making. All lecture slides are made available to students
Teaching Resources
A.C. Cameron e R.P. Widner. Handbook of Pediatric Dentistry, 4th Edition. Mosby Elsevie
Modules or teaching units
Paediatric dentistry
MED/28 - ORAL DISEASES AND DENTISTRY - University credits: 5
Lessons: 40 hours
Practicals - Exercises: 25 hours
Practicals - Exercises: 25 hours
Shifts:
Polo Centrale
Professor:
Biagi RobertoPolo San Paolo
Professor:
Cagetti Maria Grazia
Pediatrics
MED/38 - PAEDIATRICS - University credits: 1
Lessons: 10 hours
Professor:
Milani Gregorio Paolo