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Dentistry Journal
Special Issues
Oral Health in the Maternal, Infant and Adolescent Populations
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Oral Health in the Maternal, Infant and Adolescent Populations

A special issue of Dentistry Journal (ISSN 2304-6767).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 5 October 2026 | Viewed by 1732

Editor

Dr. Jaume Miranda-Rius

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Odontostomatology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Interests: periodontology; periodontal medicine; hospital dentistry; gingival enlargement; oral surgery; dental and periodontal trauma injuries; teeth autotransplantation; implantology; oral health; one health in dentistry; periodontal and peri-implant diseases

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Oral health is a cornerstone of overall health and well-being for pregnant women, children, and adolescents. During these stages of life, oral health can have a significant impact on quality of life and future development. Therefore, this research area is timely and is significant for both academia and practice.

In this context, it is also important to consider the One Health perspective, acknowledging the links between human health, the environment, and responsible healthcare practices (e.g., prevention strategies, antibiotic stewardship, and access to care).

This Special Issue aims to present and disseminate the most recent advances related to oral health in the maternal, infant, and adolescent populations. The same applies to antenatal care for women at risk of preterm birth. We welcome contributions that explore the relationship between oral health and the 'One Health' concept.

Topics of interest for publication include, but are not limited to, the following: Maternal periodontitis, periodontal disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes, preterm birth, oral diseases and systemic inflammation, baby and children dentistry, early childhood caries, malocclusion and orofacial malformities, dental and periodontal trauma injuries, and special dentistry needs in maternal, infant, and adolescent populations.

Challenges and opportunities: There is limited access to dental care in some areas, especially in rural or underserved areas. There is a need for education and training for oral health professionals and educators on oral health for the maternal, child, and adolescent populations. Importance of collaboration between health professionals, educators, and parents helps to ensure comprehensive and effective care.

Dr. Jaume Miranda-Rius
Guest Editor

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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Dentistry Journal 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 2000 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

  • periodontal health in pregnancy
  • systemic inflammation
  • oral health in children and adolescents
  • dental and periodontal trauma injuries
  • prevention, intervention, and management
  • oral surgery
  • special needs
  • one health

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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12 pages, 552 KB  
Article
International Variability in the Diagnosis and Management of Ankyloglossia Among Dental Professionals: A Cross-Sectional Study
by Elvira Ferrés-Amat, Carlos Perez-Torres, Maria Carmela Giovannelli, Ana Vallés-Creixell, Constanza Sanchez-Davila, Paulina Aliaga Sancho, Claudia Naranjo Camilla, Ana Luísa Costa, Ana Veloso Duran, Lluis Giner-Tarrida and Francisco Guinot
Dent. J. 2026, 14(7), 436; https://doi.org/10.3390/dj14070436 - 14 Jul 2026
Viewed by 431
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Ankyloglossia diagnosis and management remain widely debated in dentistry, with variability reported in clinical decision-making and treatment approaches. Limited international evidence exists comparing how dental professionals diagnose and manage this condition in early childhood. This study aimed to compare the knowledge, [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Ankyloglossia diagnosis and management remain widely debated in dentistry, with variability reported in clinical decision-making and treatment approaches. Limited international evidence exists comparing how dental professionals diagnose and manage this condition in early childhood. This study aimed to compare the knowledge, diagnostic criteria, and clinical management of ankyloglossia among dental professionals in six countries and to assess whether shared diagnostic and management approaches exist for babies (≤6 months) and infants (>6 months). Methods: A multicountry cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated 27-item online questionnaire distributed between February 2023 and February 2025 to dental professionals in Spain, Italy, Portugal, Brazil, Ecuador, and Chile. Participants included paediatric dentists, oral surgeons, general dentists, and other dental specialists. Only fully completed questionnaires were analyzed. Primary outcomes included self-reported diagnostic practices, use of classification systems, and management strategies for ankyloglossia. Secondary outcomes included professional training, interdisciplinary collaboration, surgical techniques, and pain management practices. Results: A total of 1188 dental professionals participated. Overall, 80.7% reported routinely examining the lingual frenulum, while 42.4% used formal classification systems. Tongue mobility assessment was the most commonly reported diagnostic method, with significant variation across countries and professional groups (p < 0.001). Specific training in diagnosis was reported by 67.2% of participants, whereas 50.6% reported treatment training, with marked inter-country differences (p < 0.001). Surgical intervention was the most commonly reported management strategy (38.7%), particularly in babies ≤ 6 months, with frenotomy/frenulotomy being the predominant procedure. Considerable variability was observed in surgical techniques, pain management, and recommendations for adjunctive therapies. Conclusions: Substantial international variability exists in the diagnosis, classification, and management of ankyloglossia among dental professionals. These findings highlight gaps in training and the absence of standardized, evidence-based clinical guidelines, underscoring the need for consensus-driven protocols to support consistent and multidisciplinary clinical care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oral Health in the Maternal, Infant and Adolescent Populations)
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16 pages, 1002 KB  
Article
Masticatory Muscle Function in Growing Patients with Unilateral Posterior Crossbite: A Case–Control Study Combining Surface Electromyography and Myotonometry
by Lara Díaz-González, Carlos López-de-Celis, Albert Pérez-Bellmunt and Francisco Guinot
Dent. J. 2026, 14(7), 426; https://doi.org/10.3390/dj14070426 - 10 Jul 2026
Viewed by 423
Abstract
Background: Unilateral posterior crossbite (UPXB) is a common malocclusion in growing patients, often associated with functional mandibular deviation and asymmetric masticatory function. However, its relationship with muscle activity remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate masticatory muscle activity and viscoelastic properties in [...] Read more.
Background: Unilateral posterior crossbite (UPXB) is a common malocclusion in growing patients, often associated with functional mandibular deviation and asymmetric masticatory function. However, its relationship with muscle activity remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate masticatory muscle activity and viscoelastic properties in growing patients with UPXB compared to subjects with normal occlusion. Methods: This case–control study included 140 growing patients (60 controls and 80 with UPXB: 36 right-side and 44 left-side). Surface electromyography (sEMG) was used to assess the activity of the superficial masseter and anterior temporalis muscles during standardized static and dynamic tasks. Muscle viscoelastic properties were evaluated using myotonometry. To minimize potential bias related to craniofacial morphology, only mesofacial subjects (Ricketts’ VERT −0.5 to +0.5) were included. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: No differences were found in sex distribution, whereas the control group was slightly older than the UPXB group. Myotonometric analysis showed limited between-group differences, with isolated findings including higher stiffness of the non-crossbite anterior temporalis in left UPXB patients (p = 0.014), and minor differences in stiffness and relaxation of the left masseter between groups (p = 0.049; p = 0.045). Electromyographic results showed no significant differences during maximum voluntary contraction in intercuspation. In controls, higher activity was found in the left anterior temporalis during contraction on cotton rolls (p = 0.039) and in the right masseter at rest (p = 0.033). In left UPXB patients, the non-crossbite temporalis showed higher activity (p = 0.023). Increased activity of the crossbite-side left masseter was found in patients with UPXB during contraction and mastication (p = 0.012; p = 0.002). During mastication, both groups exhibited higher activity on the chewing side. Conclusions: UPXB is associated with specific, condition-dependent alterations in masticatory muscle activity and viscoelastic properties rather than generalized neuromuscular asymmetry. These findings suggest the presence of functional adaptations in growing patients, particularly under certain loading conditions, and highlight the importance of early diagnosis to better understand its potential impact on craniofacial development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oral Health in the Maternal, Infant and Adolescent Populations)
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Other

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10 pages, 2281 KB  
Case Report
Generalized Developmental Enamel Hypoplasia of the Permanent Dentition Associated with Early Childhood Vitamin D Deficiency Rickets: A Case Report
by Rena Okawa, Misato Takagi, Yuto Suehiro and Kazuhiko Nakano
Dent. J. 2026, 14(7), 399; https://doi.org/10.3390/dj14070399 - 2 Jul 2026
Viewed by 425
Abstract
Background: Vitamin D deficiency rickets is a metabolic bone disorder caused by impaired calcium and phosphate homeostasis resulting from insufficient vitamin D. In children, severe vitamin D deficiency can disturb the mineralization of growing bones and teeth. Although the skeletal manifestations are [...] Read more.
Background: Vitamin D deficiency rickets is a metabolic bone disorder caused by impaired calcium and phosphate homeostasis resulting from insufficient vitamin D. In children, severe vitamin D deficiency can disturb the mineralization of growing bones and teeth. Although the skeletal manifestations are well recognized, reports describing generalized developmental enamel defects affecting nearly all permanent teeth remain limited. Methods: A 6-year-9-month-old Japanese boy with a history of vitamin D deficiency rickets diagnosed at 2 years 5 months of age was referred to our department for evaluation of generalized discoloration and morphological abnormalities affecting multiple permanent teeth. Clinical, radiographic, and medical findings were reviewed. Results: Laboratory examination at diagnosis revealed severe vitamin D deficiency with elevated intact parathyroid hormone levels. Possible contributing factors included exclusive breastfeeding, delayed weaning, avoidance of fish and dairy products, and limited outdoor activity. Following oral alfacalcidol supplementation, skeletal and biochemical findings gradually normalized. However, clinical examination revealed generalized enamel hypoplasia affecting the permanent incisors and first molars, characterized by yellow-brown discoloration, rough enamel surfaces, morphological irregularities, and attrition, whereas the primary dentition showed no obvious abnormalities. Panoramic radiography demonstrated generalized crown malformation involving both erupted and unerupted permanent teeth, particularly the permanent incisors, first molars, and canines, while premolars and second molars were relatively unaffected. Based on the developmental timing of the affected teeth and the patient’s medical history, the enamel defects were considered to be associated with systemic mineralization disturbance during early childhood. Restorative treatment, including composite resin restorations and stainless steel crowns, was performed to improve aesthetics and occlusal function. Preventive surgical exposure followed by composite resin restoration was also performed for the permanent canines at the onset of eruption. Conclusions: Severe vitamin D deficiency during critical stages of tooth development may be associated with irreversible developmental enamel defects in the permanent dentition, even after apparent systemic recovery from rickets. Early dental assessment, long-term dental follow-up, and multidisciplinary management should be considered in children with a history of nutritional rickets. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oral Health in the Maternal, Infant and Adolescent Populations)
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