The aim of our study was to determine the effectiveness of a mobile 3D augmented reality (AR) simulator for local anesthesia training as a serious game. We present a mobile simulator which has three modes for learning: study, 3D simulation, and AR reality. Both pre- and post-training surveys contained open-ended and Likert-scale questions (comprising five response options) on demographics and students’ experiences. The response rate was 90.1%. Of the total participants, 37 subjects were female and 27 were male. The mean age was 20 years. The results of the pre-training survey showed that over 80% of dental students from both universities agreed that they were excited about using the mobile simulator. The results from the post training survey showed that 78.7–88.2% of participants felt comfortable using the mobile application, over 72% agreed that it was user friendly, and over 82.3% of participants agreed that it looked realistic. It was also found that 76.6–88.2% of participants agreed that the 3D anatomical structures improved their understanding of LA administration. A serious game for learning local anesthesia can be a very interesting and valuable learning tool for dental students.

Primary teeth play a crucial role in a child’s development, particularly in maintaining space for permanent teeth. The premature loss of a primary tooth can lead to orthodontic issues, making the use of space maintainers essential to ensure proper growth and development of permanent teeth. To preserve space, the fabrication of a space maintainer is necessary. Since conventional space maintainers do not restore masticatory function, this study presents an innovative solution for space preservation following the extraction of the first primary molar through the design of the functional space maintainer KOS&MET (Key Orthodontic System and Materials Enhanced Therapy). The space maintainer was designed using the 3Shape Dental Designer 2023 version software tool and manufactured via additive 3D printing, utilizing a metal alloy with high resistance to masticatory forces. The crown is supported by the primary canine, while an intraoral window is created to monitor the eruption of the successor tooth. This design does not interfere with occlusion and enables bilateral chewing. Masticatory performance was assessed using two-color chewing gum, and the results showed improvement after cementing the space maintainer. This innovative approach not only preserves space for permanent teeth but also enhances masticatory function, contributing to the proper growth and development of the jaws and teeth.

Background/Objectives: Behavior management is a major challenge in pediatric dentistry, particularly during the first dental visit, when anxiety, fear, and negative expectations can compromise cooperation and clinical outcomes. While evidence-based behavior guidance techniques are well established, their effectiveness depends on early identification of behavioral risk and individualized planning. This study aimed to develop and clinically evaluate a parent-completed digital pre-visit tool to support individualized behavior management and targeted use of digital distraction in pediatric dentistry. Methods: A web-based application was developed using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It was applied to a prospective observational cohort of 90 pediatric patients aged 4–8 years (mean 6.1 ± 1.2), including 48 girls and 42 boys. Parents completed a pre-visit questionnaire covering four domains: child’s age, previous dental experiences, reactions to unfamiliar situations, and individual interests, including stimuli to avoid. Based on predefined decision rules, the tool generated recommended clinical approaches, including behavior guidance techniques, digital distraction, and inhalation sedation. Results: Over 90% of children were successfully managed during their first visit. Children in low- and moderate-risk groups had significantly higher odds of treatment success compared to high-risk children. Low-risk children almost universally completed treatment at the first visit, while a substantial portion of moderate-risk children were successfully managed without an adaptation visit. Digital distraction, particularly when tailored to individual interests, enhanced cooperation and tolerance of procedures. Conclusions: The digital pre-visit tool enables early identification of behavioral risk and supports targeted application of digital distraction and sedation. This approach can improve child cooperation, reduce anxiety, optimize clinical efficiency, and contribute to positive early dental experiences.

Background/Objectives: Effective pain control is essential for successful dental treatment in children. Although the inferior alveolar nerve block remains the standard technique for achieving mandibular anesthesia, it is associated with injection discomfort, prolonged soft tissue numbness, and an increased risk of postoperative self-inflicted soft tissue injury. Buccal infiltration with 4% articaine has emerged as a promising minimally invasive alternative because of its favorable diffusion properties. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of buccal infiltration with 4% articaine for local anesthesia of primary mandibular molars in pediatric patients. Methods: This systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Electronic databases were searched to identify randomized controlled clinical trials evaluating buccal infiltration with 4% articaine in primary mandibular molars. Owing to methodological heterogeneity, the findings were synthesized qualitatively. Results: Five randomized controlled trials met the eligibility criteria. Buccal infiltration with 4% articaine demonstrated high anesthetic success and was generally associated with comparable pain scores, favorable patient comfort, and favorable postoperative outcomes compared with conventional anesthetic techniques. However, heterogeneity was observed in clinical procedures, comparator interventions, and outcome assessment methods. Conclusions: Current evidence suggests that buccal infiltration with 4% articaine is an effective and clinically comparable, minimally invasive anesthetic technique for selected procedures involving primary mandibular molars in children.

Background/Objectives: Accurate drug dosage calculation in pediatric dentistry represents an essential component of everyday clinical practice. However, manual calculation methods, reliance on memory, and inconsistent pharmacological education often lead to uncertainty among practitioners. Methods: To support clinicians in this process, a mobile application—Dent.IN CALC—was developed as a rapid, evidence-based, and user-friendly tool. The app allows the input of age and weight to instantly generate recommended and maximum safe dosages of commonly prescribed antibiotics, analgesics, and local anesthetics. Additionally, it includes a list of corresponding pharmaceutical preparations available on the local market. A preliminary evaluation among sixty dentists revealed significant variability in dosage knowledge and confirmed the need for digital tools that facilitate accurate and efficient prescribing. Results: Most users rated the app as intuitive, time-saving, and highly beneficial for daily practice (mean satisfaction score 4.7 ± 0.4; 95% would recommend the app). Conclusions: The Dent.IN CALC app shows strong user acceptance and demonstrates how digital solutions can streamline workflow and support clinicians in routine pediatric pharmacological decision-making.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has led to significant public health problems, severe complications, and functional impairment in persons who have recovered from this disease. A 60-years-old male deconditioned patient was transferred from Corona 4 Center to the Center for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of the University Clinical Center in Kragujevac for a post-COVID rehabilitation due to pronounced muscle weakness and inability to walk. After functional testing, an individual rehabilitation plan was created and a kinesitherapy program was adjusted daily based on the patient's respiratory status. After the kinesitherapy program, Respivol was used-a volumetric medical device for breathing exercises in patients with respiratory difficulties. At the time of admission, the patient could not move independently, could not move from the lying to the sitting position on his own, and could not maintain balance in the sitting position. Hypotrophy caused by prolonged inactivity of the muscles of the whole body dominated the clinical picture. A six-week rehabilitation treatment performed on the patient showed a significant improvement in functionality (FIM test), muscle strength (manual muscle test), daily life activity (Barthel index), as well as a reduction of anxiety (GAD-7 scale). The goal of the rehabilitation program is to restore the patient's state of functionality before the initiation of COVID-19 treatment, so that they can perform their regular professional activities and achieve complete independence in performing activities of daily living (ADL).