SIOI Policy on Direct Restorative Materials in Paediatric Dentistry

Area of Science:

• Pediatric dentistry
• Dental materials science
• Restorative dentistry

Background:

• The Italian Society of Paediatric Dentistry (SIOI) aims to enhance oral healthcare for children.
• Promoting informed decisions on prevention and treatment of pediatric oral diseases is crucial.
• Effective communication with parents and caregivers is essential for pediatric oral health awareness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To offer dental professionals comprehensive guidance on pediatric restorative materials.
• To ensure treatment decisions are supported by the highest quality scientific evidence.
• To update prevention and treatment strategies for oral diseases in pediatric patients.

Main Methods:

• A review of recent, high-quality dental literature (reviews, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, best practices) from the last 10 years.
• Extensive PubMed®/MEDLINE search using keywords: paediatric restorative dentistry, dental materials, dental restorations, dental caries, dental caries therapy, dental amalgam, composite resins, adhesive systems, glass ionomer cements, compomers, and bioactive materials.
• Filters included: 10-year publication window, full text, specific article types, human subjects, children (0-18 years), and English language. 143 articles were selected after title/abstract screening.

Main Results:

• The selection process identified 143 relevant articles based on predefined criteria.
• The reviewed literature forms the basis for the SIOI policy recommendations.
• The policy synthesizes current evidence on various pediatric restorative materials.

Conclusions:

• This SIOI policy provides essential, evidence-based guidance for pediatric restorative dentistry.
• It supports dental practitioners in selecting appropriate materials for children's dental treatments.
• The policy aims to improve the quality and safety of restorative care for pediatric patients.