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Children
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Dental Status and Oral Health in Children and Adolescents
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Dental Status and Oral Health in Children and Adolescents

A special issue of Children (ISSN 2227-9067). This special issue belongs to the section "Pediatric Dentistry & Oral Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 May 2026 | Viewed by 3097

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Abel Emanuel Moca

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, Oradea, Romania
Interests: biodentistry; biomaterials; pediatric dentistry; oral health education; dental public health; caries prevention
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Raluca Iulia Juncar

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 10 Piața 1 Decembrie Street, 410073 Oradea, Romania
Interests: oral health epidemiology; oral public health; dental health promotion

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Good oral health impacts children's quality of life not only in the short and medium term but also in the long term, influencing the development of the dento-maxillary system, overall growth, and their quality of life as children and adolescents. At the same time, ensuring effective prevention of oral diseases, especially dental caries, from an early age, as well as offering modern, efficient, and even minimally invasive treatments, can shape the future adult and their entire outlook on oral health.

As pediatric dentistry and orthodontics are constantly evolving, the aim of this Special Issue is to bring together a wide range of articles that present modern approaches to prevention and treatment, as well as the current epidemiological landscape of various oral cavity diseases affecting children and adolescents.

We warmly invite all those interested in this subject to submit systematic reviews, meta-analyses, original studies, and even case reports addressing the following topics:

  • The epidemiology of various oral cavity diseases in children and adolescents from different populations;
  • Innovative methods for preventing dental caries and other oral cavity diseases in children and adolescents;
  • Innovative treatment approaches for dental caries and other oral cavity diseases in children and adolescents;
  • Other topics that align with the theme of this Special Issue.

Dr. Abel Emanuel Moca
Dr. Raluca Iulia Juncar
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Children is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • pediatric oral health
  • dental caries prevention
  • dento-maxillary development
  • oral diseases in children
  • adolescent oral health

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 2101 KB  
Article
Assessment of Oral Hygiene Practices and Dental Health Conditions in School-Aged Children of 7–10 Years
by Ana-Gabriela Seni, Liana Todor, Andreea Mihaela Kis, Mădălina-Gabriela Cincu, Ramona Amina Popovici, Anca Porumb, Iustin Olariu and Monica Tarcea
Children 2025, 12(10), 1288; https://doi.org/10.3390/children12101288 - 24 Sep 2025
Viewed by 577
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The ongoing prevalence of dental issues within the school-age population continues to present significant public health challenges. This study aims to thoroughly evaluate the oral health conditions of schoolchildren aged 7–10 years, with a particular focus on identifying the prevalence and [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The ongoing prevalence of dental issues within the school-age population continues to present significant public health challenges. This study aims to thoroughly evaluate the oral health conditions of schoolchildren aged 7–10 years, with a particular focus on identifying the prevalence and severity of dental caries, as well as their relationship with dental hygiene and dietary habits. Methods: A cross-sectional approach was employed involving 700 children aged from 7 to 10 years, recruited from nine urban and rural educational institutions across two Romanian counties, namely Mureș and Bistrița-Năsăud. Data were collected regarding the sociodemographic characteristics of participants, including parental educational background and occupational status. Furthermore, information on dental hygiene routines was gathered, encompassing tooth brushing habits, flossing usage, frequency of brushing, along with dietary details such as daily meal count, snacking frequency, and sugar intake levels. An oral examination was performed by a trained specialist to assess the condition of the children’s teeth, documenting the number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth. The presence of plaque was evaluated using a plaque index, and the dental caries status was quantified using the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index. Results: The findings revealed that the average plaque score was marginally higher in boys (mean = 0.69 ± 0.36) compared to girls (mean = 0.65 ± 0.40). Additionally, children from urban environments demonstrated a mean plaque score of 0.61 ± 0.32, whereas their rural counterparts exhibited a higher score of 0.73 ± 0.38. In multivariable models, irregular brushing, higher daily sugar consumption, and ≥3 snacks/day were independently associated with both caries prevalence (DMFT > 0) and greater DMFT counts (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The evidence denotes a concerning association between poor oral hygiene practices and higher rates of tooth decay among children, particularly among those with elevated sugar intake and frequent snacking behaviors. Dental public health professionals are encouraged to incorporate considerations of oral hygiene habits when developing future health promotion strategies aimed at improving the oral health status of children. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dental Status and Oral Health in Children and Adolescents)
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14 pages, 552 KB  
Article
Oro-Dental Characteristics Associated with Pediatric Dental Neglect: A Retrospective Study
by Anamaria Violeta Țuțuianu, Abel Emanuel Moca, Teodora Ștefănescu, Dan Alexandru Slăvescu, Lucian Roman Șipoș, Horia Câlniceanu and Anca Ionel
Children 2025, 12(9), 1266; https://doi.org/10.3390/children12091266 - 21 Sep 2025
Viewed by 396
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Dental neglect represents a preventable form of child maltreatment that may lead to significant oral and systemic health complications. This study primarily aimed to investigate the main oral manifestations and determinants of dental neglect in a pediatric population from Bihor County, Romania. [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Dental neglect represents a preventable form of child maltreatment that may lead to significant oral and systemic health complications. This study primarily aimed to investigate the main oral manifestations and determinants of dental neglect in a pediatric population from Bihor County, Romania. Additionally, it assessed the association between systemic factors, such as nutritional status and psychological conditions, and the severity of oro-dental lesions, with the goal of informing future preventive strategies and public health interventions. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 333 pediatric patients diagnosed with dental neglect. Clinical data were collected from two centers between 2020 and 2024. Oral health status, socio-demographic characteristics, and psychological conditions were evaluated. Statistical analyses included Fisher’s Exact Test, Mann–Whitney U Test, and Bonferroni-adjusted Z-tests, with significance set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: Among the 333 participants, 52.9% were male, with a mean age of 8.75 ± 3.29 years. Most children (81.7%) resided in rural areas, and 55.6% were first-born. Carious lesions were identified in 100% of cases, with 54.7% showing complications such as endodontic pathology. Poor oral hygiene was reported in 99.1% of children, while 58.6% presented signs of periodontal disease and 37.2% reported spontaneous gingival bleeding. Acute pain was experienced by 40.2% of participants. Nutritional issues were prevalent, with 24.3% classified as obese and 21.6% as malnourished. Significant associations were found between lesion severity and both psychological disorders (p < 0.001) and malnutrition (p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study identifies untreated carious lesions, poor oral hygiene, acute dental pain, and oro-dental trauma as key clinical indicators of pediatric dental neglect, with rural residency and limited education as significant socio-demographic risk factors. The findings highlight the urgent need for integrated, community-based strategies, including school-based screenings, parental education, and referral pathways, to improve early detection and prevention in Romania. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dental Status and Oral Health in Children and Adolescents)
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Review

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15 pages, 456 KB  
Review
Parental Perspectives on Oral Health and Access to Care in Children with Down Syndrome: A Narrative Review
by Petra Saitos, Raluca Iurcov, Abel Emanuel Moca, Teofana Bota, Rebeca Daniela Marton and Mihai Juncar
Children 2025, 12(5), 655; https://doi.org/10.3390/children12050655 - 20 May 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1398
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Children with Down syndrome are predisposed to various oro-dental conditions, which can impact their oral-health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and overall well-being. Given their critical role, parents’ and caregivers’ perceptions are essential for understanding the challenges in oral care access and [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Children with Down syndrome are predisposed to various oro-dental conditions, which can impact their oral-health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and overall well-being. Given their critical role, parents’ and caregivers’ perceptions are essential for understanding the challenges in oral care access and quality. This narrative review aimed to synthesise the available evidence on parental and caregiver perceptions regarding oral health, OHRQoL, and dental care access for children with Down syndrome. Methods: A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, covering studies published between January 2015 and January 2025. The search included the keywords “Down syndrome”, “oral health”, “oral health-related quality of life”, “caregivers”, “parents”, “dental care access”, and “special needs children”. Thirteen studies were included after applying eligibility criteria, which selected original research focusing on the target population and themes. Results: The findings highlighted that oral health significantly affects the quality of life of children with Down syndrome, influencing their functional, emotional, and social well-being. Caregivers often reported a gap between perceived and clinically observed oral health. Barriers to dental care access included insufficient training of dental professionals, financial constraints, systemic limitations, and perceived biases. Variations across different countries also revealed the influence of cultural and healthcare system factors. Conclusions: Oral health plays a critical role in the lives of children with Down syndrome and their families. Strengthening caregiver education, improving communication, validating adapted OHRQoL instruments, and enhancing dental professionals’ training in special needs care are crucial steps to ensure equitable and family-centred oral healthcare. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dental Status and Oral Health in Children and Adolescents)
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Other

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10 pages, 1994 KB  
Case Report
The Management of a Post-Extraction Gingival Lesion in a Paediatric Patient: A Case Report
by Erika Cirillo, Massimiliano Ciribè, Alessandra Putrino, Sonia Vanacore, Francesco Pio Litta and Angela Galeotti
Children 2025, 12(10), 1331; https://doi.org/10.3390/children12101331 - 3 Oct 2025
Viewed by 321
Abstract
Introduction: In clinical practice, the presence of abnormal physiological root resorption frequently results in the retention of deciduous teeth. Also, unilateral mastication may contribute to the altered physiological process of root resorption. This delayed exfoliation and retention of deciduous teeth may compromise the [...] Read more.
Introduction: In clinical practice, the presence of abnormal physiological root resorption frequently results in the retention of deciduous teeth. Also, unilateral mastication may contribute to the altered physiological process of root resorption. This delayed exfoliation and retention of deciduous teeth may compromise the integrity of adjacent soft tissue. In recent years, ozone therapy can be considered a promising strategy in accelerating healing and reducing pain in both traumatic and autoimmune ulcers. Case Presentation: This case report describes a 12 year-old male patient with localized damaged gingival tissue resulting from chronic trauma due to the retention of a deciduous tooth. Following the application of gaseous ozone therapy, complete mucosal healing was achieved. Conclusions: This case supports the potential of ozone therapy in paediatric soft tissue management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dental Status and Oral Health in Children and Adolescents)
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