JADA Continuing Education

Background. An expert panel convened by the American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs and the Center for Evidence-Based Dentistry conducted a systematic review and formulated clinical recommendations for the urgent management of symptomatic irreversible pulpitis with or without symptomatic apical periodontitis, pulp necrosis and symptomatic apical periodontitis, or pulp necrosis and localized acute apical abscess using antibiotics, either alone or as adjuncts to definitive, conservative dental treatment (DCDT) in immunocompetent adults.

Key Words. Antibiotics; symptomatic irreversible pulpitis; symptomatic apical periodontitis; pulp necrosis; localized acute apical abscess; clinical practice guideline; antibiotic stewardship.

Background. Antibiotic prophylaxis (AP) is used routinely in high-risk groups of patients to reduce bacteremia and the risk of developing infective endocarditis (IE). In this systematic review, the authors evaluated the efficacy of AP on the incidence, nature, magnitude, and duration of postdental procedure bacteremia.

Key Words. Amoxicillin; bacteremia; prophylaxis; antibiotics; clindamycin; infective endocarditis.

Background. Studies suggest that when children do not achieve the emotional satiety and adequate stimulus provided by breast-feeding, they exhibit sucking behaviors. This study aimed to estimate the association from 4 through 6 months of exclusive breast-feeding (EB) postpartum and pacifier-sucking behavior at 12 months of life.

Key Words. Breast-feeding; epidemiology; sucking behavior; pacifiers.

Background. In-office dental bleaching results in a high risk of tooth sensitivity caused by the inflammatory process of the pulpal tissue. In this systematic review, the authors aimed to evaluate the effect of administering anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs for the prevention of tooth sensitivity associated with in-office dental bleaching.

Key Words. Analgesics; anti-inflammatory agents; tooth bleaching; tooth sensitivity; drug prescriptions.

Background. In this study, the authors assessed the knowledge and opinions of patients regarding osteoporosis and the associations among osteoporosis, osteoporosis treatments, and oral health care use.

Key Words. Osteoporosis; osteonecrosis of jaw; bisphosphonates; antiresorptive; health literacy; oral health care use; invasive dental procedures; patient knowledge.

Background. Reducing inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions (Rxs) is a major quality improvement initiative in the United States. Tracking antibiotic prescribing trends is 1 method of assessing improvement in antibiotic prescribing. The purpose of this study was to assess longitudinal antibiotic prescribing practices among dental specialists.

Background. The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the potential effect of dental treatment before cardiac valve surgery (CVS) or left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation on morbidity and mortality.

Key Words. Cardiac; pretreatment; medically complex; presurgical; dental clearance.

Background. Transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) people continue to experience health care disparities despite increasing visibility and acceptance. As far as is known, no information exists regarding their experiences with oral health care providers. In this study, the authors intended to understand how TGNC adolescents and young adults interface with their oral health care providers.

Key Words. Transgender; adolescents; oral health; health disparities.

Background. The authors explore Iowa dentists’ agreement with the International Caries Classification and Management System (ICCMS) in the nonsurgical management of initial carious lesions in patients at low, moderate, and high caries risk and identify factors related to their agreement.

Key Words. ICCMS; initial caries lesions; dental caries management; caries risk assessment; dentists knowledge; dentists practice; surveys and questionnaire; Iowa.