Practitioners should consider using dental stories to help prepare families and children for dental visits. Individual preferences for dental stories vary; using prior history can aid in selection.

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Human remains from forensic and bioarcheological contexts are often fragmentary, requiring methods for estimating a forensic profile that are based upon limited skeletal features. In 2017, Berg and Keryhercz created an online application, (hu)MANid, that provides sex and ancestry estimation from mandibular morphoscopic traits and linear measurements. In this study, we examine the utility of the (hu)MANid application in a diverse, urban US adult sample (aged 20–45; n = 143) derived from computed tomography (CT) scans. We secondarily conduct a preliminary analysis of the program's utility in a sample of adolescents (aged 15–17; n = 40). Six morphoscopic, and eleven morphometric traits were recorded as directed by the literature associated with the (hu)MANid program. Percent correct classification and posterior predictive values were calculated for the sex and ancestry estimations output by the program; chi‐squared tests were employed to compare self‐reported and predicted ancestry. In the adult sample, sex was accurately predicted for 75.52% of the sample. Ancestry prediction, however, was less favorable ranging from 19.3% to 50% correct. For the adolescent sample, correct sex estimation (45%) did not surpass what could occur by chance alone, though ancestry prediction fared better than in the larger adult sample (percent correct prediction overall average: 47.5%, range 35.71%–71.43%). The (hu)MANid application shows utility for use with CT scan‐derived adult samples for sex estimation, but caution is warranted for ancestry estimation and use with samples that may not have reached full adult maturity.

Objective: To determine the clinical and radiographic success of Biodentine® (BD) and Ferric Sulfate (FS) as primary molar pulpotomy materials and to compare their outcomes. Study design: Retrospective data was obtained from the electronic health records (EHR) of a university-based pediatric dental clinic. Participants were enrolled according to specified inclusion and exclusion criteria. Two trained and calibrated examiners evaluated the EHR using validated criteria for clinical and radiographic outcomes. Study data was numerically coded and analyzed. Cohen’s Kappa and Chi-square tests were used (p<0.05). Results: Eighty-three participants (62.7% females, age range two to eight years, average age of 4.5 years) with 102 pulpotomies were enrolled. FS was used in 78% (n=79) and BD in 22% (n=23) of the cases. Follow-up periods ranged from six to 36 months (mean of 17 months). BD showed 100% clinical and radiographic success, while FS demonstrated 84% clinical and 70% radiographic success. The two groups were compared at one year with no statistically significant differences. At 18 months, BD outperformed FS clinically (p=.012) and radiographically (p=.001). Intra-rater and inter-rater agreement were κ>0.88. Conclusions: Both materials can be recommended for clinical practice, however BD may be the preferred choice for its better outcomes at 18 months.

IntroductionThe dentition is one of the most accurate features for age estimation in children. However, there is some evidence that timing of dental development varies across populations. Recent research suggests that dental development may also be susceptible to influence by environmental factors, such as obesity. Given that there are also population differences in average body mass, it is possible that this may be a confounding variable that was not accounted for in prior work. We aim to compare the relative association between body mass index (BMI) and ancestry with timing of dental development.MethodsA retrospective cross‐sectional chart review was undertaken using panoramic radiographs of 6‐ to 12‐year‐olds (n = 281). Age, ancestry, sex, height, and weight were obtained. Dental development was assessed using the Demirjian method, and chronological age was subtracted from estimated dental age to determine relative timing of dental development (ΔAge). BMI was calculated based upon recorded height/weight within 6 months of time of radiograph.ResultsWe found no difference in timing of dental development (accelerated/delayed) across ancestry groups (African‐American, Euro‐American, Hispanic, Asian; P = .15). Overweight/obese subjects had statistically significantly advanced (precocious) dental development (P < .001). Compared to normal‐weight subjects, children who were overweight's age were overestimated by 5.76 months (0.48 years) and children with obesity by 5.97 months (0.49 years) on average.ConclusionsBMI appears to have a greater impact on relative timing of dental development than ancestry in this population. Our results support other findings that obesity results in accelerated growth and development.