Two Canadian graduate students in pediatric dentistry participated in the 3M ESPE Graduate Student Research Presentations, held during the Canadian Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (CAPD) Annual General Meeting in Ottawa in September. The graduate students presented their research to a panel of judges, and the winning student was awarded a $500 cash prize. The following are condensed versions of the abstracts submitted for this year's pediatric dental research event.
1st Place
Study of perioperative complications in persons with disabilities undergoing dental treatment under general anesthesia at Mount Sinai Hospital
Dr. Vandna Sharma (University of Toronto)
Supervisors: M. Sigal, H. Tenenbaum, D. Haas and Z. Friedman
Dr. Vandna Sharma
The objectives of this study were to ascertain the incidence of perioperative complications in persons with disabilities undergoing dental treatment under general anesthesia at Mount Sinai Hospital and to assess caregiver satisfaction with the service. A retrospective chart review was undertaken and the results were compared with the incidence of perioperative complications reported in the literature. Parents or primary caregivers were surveyed to determine their satisfaction with the service and to measure postoperative complications incurred by patients. The response rate for the chart review was 17.6% (n=88). Data collection is ongoing with 32 of 100 surveys given to caregivers returned. It is expected that the incidence of perioperative complications from the retrospective chart review and survey will be similar to the incidence rate cited in the literature and that caregiver satisfaction with the service will be high.
A retrospective study of root canal therapy in non-vital primary molars
Dr. Karen Stallaert (University of Toronto)
Supervisors: P. Andrews and M. Sigal
Dr. Karen Stallaert
The objectives of this retrospective study were to assess the clinical and radiographic success rates of a non-vital primary molar root canal therapy (RCT) using formocresol and zinc oxide eugenol and to evaluate its effect on permanent successors and exfoliation times. A review of 304 patient records treated with primary molar RCT in a private pediatric dental office from July 1993 to June 2010 was undertaken. Of the 304 records, 164 patients met the inclusion criteria with 220 primary molars treated with RCT. Data analysis is ongoing with preliminary results suggesting that clinical and radiographic success rates are greater than 80%.