Aim. To evaluate the pain experience and behavior during dental injection, using the Wand computerized delivery system versus conventional local anesthesia in children and adolescents. Methods. An observational crossover split mouth study was performed on 67 patients (aged 7 to 15 years), requiring local anesthesia for dental treatments in both sides of the dental arch. Patients received both types of injections in two separate appointments, one with the use of a Computer Delivery System (the Wand STA system) and one with the traditional syringe. The following data were recorded: pain rating; changes in heart rate; level of collaboration; patient satisfaction. The data were analyzed using ANOVA for quantitative outcomes and nonparametric analysis (Kruskal–Wallis) for qualitative parameters. Results. The use of the Wand system determined significantly lower pain ratings and lower increase of heart rate than the traditional syringe. During injection, the number of patients showing a relaxed behavior was higher with the Wand than with the traditional local anesthesia. The patient level of satisfaction was higher with the Wand compared to the conventional local anesthesia. Conclusions. The Wand system may provide a less painful injection when compared to the conventional local anesthesia and it seemed to be better tolerated with respect to a traditional syringe.

Health, education and social services are placing increasing emphasis on preventing abuse and neglect by early intervention to support families where children and young people may be at risk. Dental hygienist and dental assistants, like all other health professionals, can have a part in recognizing and preventing children from those who would cause them harm. They should be aware of the warning signs, recognizing what to consider as abuse or dental neglect and know how to deal with these young patients, and to fulfil their legal and ethical obligation to report suspected cases. The purpose of this report is to review the oral and dental aspects of child abuse and dental neglect thus helping the dental team in detecting such conditions. In particular, this report addresses the evaluation of bite marks as well as perioral and intraoral injuries, infections, early childhood caries and diseases that may be indicative of child abuse or neglect. Emphasis is placed on an appropriate protocol to follow in the dental practice to best treat and protect children who may have suffered abuse, helping the team in the diagnosis and documentation.

Background Glycogen storage disease type II (GSDII) or Pompe disease is a rare autosomal recessive metabolic disorder that leads to intracellular glycogen storage in many tissues, mainly in skeletal muscle, heart and liver. Facial muscle weakness and altered craniofacial growth are very common in Pompe disease children. In this paper we describe the orofacial features in two children affected by GSDII and illustrate a multidisciplinary approach that involved enzyme replace therapy, non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and pediatric dentistry with 5-year follow-up. Results Two Infantile Pompe Disease children were examined by a pediatric dentist at the age of 4 and 5 years old respectively. The orofacial examination showed typical facies with similar features: hypotonia of facial and tongue muscles, lip incompetence, narrow palate with reduction in transversal dimension of the upper dental arch, macroglossia, low position of the tip of the tongue, concave profile, Class III malocclusion with hypoplasia of maxillary-malar area and mandibular prognathism. Myofunctional therapy and orthodontic treatment consisted in oral muscle exercises associated to intraoral and extraoral orthodontic devices. NIV facial mask was substituted with a nasal pillow mask in order to avoid external pressure on the mid-face which negatively influences craniofacial growth. Conclusions This paper evidences that the pediatric dentist plays an important role in craniofacial growth control, oral function rehabilitation and, therefore, in the improvement of the quality of life of Pompe children and their families. Therefore an early pediatric dental evalutation should be included in the multidisciplinary management of children suffering from Infantile Pompe Disease.