Webinar Course Description: Beyond the Drill: Contemporary Minimally Invasive Pediatric Dentistry is an evidence-based lecture designed for dental professionals seeking to incorporate modern, patient-centered approaches to pediatric caries management. This course will review emerging trends in minimally invasive dentistry and their role in shifting the focus from traditional surgical intervention toward prevention, remineralization, and preservation of tooth structure. Participants will explore current evidence and clinical protocols for fluoride therapies, silver diamine fluoride (SDF), sealants, Curodont, resin infiltration, and Cariesolv, as well as minimally invasive restorative techniques including ART, ITR, the Hall technique, and selective caries removal. The lecture will also emphasize practical clinical decision-making, case selection, and effective communication strategies to improve caregiver understanding, treatment acceptance, and adherence to preventive recommendations. Attendees will leave with practical tools to integrate minimally invasive principles into daily pediatric practice while improving patient comfort, clinical outcomes, and long-term oral health. Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to: - Describe emerging trends in minimally invasive pediatric dentistry and their impact on contemporary caries management and prevention strategies.
- Apply evidence-based recommendations for fluoride therapies and silver diamine fluoride (SDF) in the prevention and non-invasive management of dental caries.
- Evaluate current sealant protocols and materials to optimize caries prevention and long-term clinical outcomes.
- Incorporate minimally invasive treatment techniques including atraumatic restorative treatment (ART), interim therapeutic restorations (ITR), the Hall technique, partial caries removal, Curodont, resin infiltration, and Cariesolv into clinical decision-making for pediatric patients.
- Develop effective communication strategies for patients and caregivers to improve understanding, acceptance, and adherence to preventive and minimally invasive treatment recommendations.
- Integrate minimally invasive principles into daily clinical practice to preserve tooth structure, improve patient experience, and reduce the need for more invasive procedures.
Speaker Bio: Cristina Perez Pacheco, DDS, MS Cristina Perez Pacheco, DDS, MS, was born in Concepcion, Chile, and later moved to Columbus, Ohio, while her parents studied at The Ohio State University from 1981 to 1989. She received her dental degree (DDS) from the University of Concepcion, Chile, in 1998. She completed a residency in Pediatric Dentistry from 2001 to 2002. She then completed a certificate program in the Pathophysiology of temporomandibular disorders in children in 2006. She moved to Kentucky, where she completed a residency in Orofacial Pain from 2008 to 2011 and earned a master’s degree. Dr. Perez is board certified in both Pediatric Dentistry and Orofacial Pain, making her one of the few dually trained and dually board-certified professionals. In 2011, Dr. Perez joined the University of Kentucky in the division of Pediatric Dentistry. She works with predoctoral students and residents in training. Her current research focuses on sleep disorders in children, TMD in adolescents, and pain management in children. |
