Adverse Events in Pediatric Dentistry: An Exploratory Study.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Dentistry
• Dental Patient Safety
• Adverse Event Reporting

Background:

• Previous research on adverse events (AEs) in pediatric dentistry is limited.
• A comprehensive understanding of AE occurrence is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
• Establishing a standardized inventory of AEs is essential for targeted safety interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop the first comprehensive inventory of pediatric dental adverse events.
• To assess the frequency and types of AEs experienced by pediatric dentists.
• To identify common and rare AEs in pediatric dental practice.

Main Methods:

• Conducted semistructured interviews with pediatric dental experts over three months.
• Developed a comprehensive list of AEs through expert interviews and validated surveys.
• Surveyed members of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) regarding AE experiences.

Main Results:

• Identified 193 distinct pediatric dental adverse events.
• 1,042 AAPD members completed the survey with a 16.3% response rate.
• Most common AEs included soft tissue trauma (86.1%), adjacent tooth damage (52.0%), and intraoperative soft tissue damage (47.1%).
• Least common AEs involved CPR (0.5%) and material aspiration (0.4%).

Conclusions:

• A significant percentage of pediatric dentists experience adverse events.
• While some AEs are common, rare events like CPR or aspiration have profound implications.
• Findings underscore the need for enhanced safety measures and AE reporting in pediatric dentistry.