Course Description
Procedural sedation is an advanced behavior guidance technique requiring knowledge in the successful diagnosis, assessment, medication, and rescue of the airway. This resident/faculty course features recognized leaders in both pediatric dentistry and dental anesthesia education. Material will betaught using didactic lectures, case studies, film clip sessions, panel discussions and hands-on opportunity with personalized attention in airway adjuncts.

There will be dedicated question/answer forums and ample opportunities to discuss specific issues with course faculty, discuss techniques for effective communication with the patient and parent to address unusually challenging and complex situations. Additionally, attendees will be required to pre-read and discuss evidence presented in the AAPD Core curriculum reading list as well as seminal literature on child behavior, growth, and development. As part of a ‘train the trainer’ approach, faculty will be presented with literature and dedicated seminars on effective clinical teaching.

This course will focus on the processes of patient assessment, treatment planning, risks/benefits/alternatives, and patient rescue. Specific regimens will be a secondary discussion. This course is intended for pediatric dental residents in training, as well as academic faculty who provide supervision. This course is consistent with the American Dental Association’s Guidelines on Teaching Pain Control and Sedation to Dentists and Dental Students in a Continuing Education Program. The level of this course, according to the ADA’s Guidelines, Part II, Definitions, Education Courses, does not offer direct, clinical patient management.

Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the participant should have a better understanding of the:

• Pediatric anatomy and physiology of the respiratory, cardiovascular, and central nervous system related to sedation
• The appropriate physical assessment of the pediatric patient including risk assessment
• The appropriate monitoring equipment its indications based on depth of sedation and troubleshooting
• Guidelines and best practice literature associated with the sedation of pediatric patients
• Safe and judicious use of local anesthetics in combination with procedural sedation in the pediatric patient
• The principles of creating a protocol to enhancing patient safety during oral procedural sedation
• Intra-operative room and restorative preparation associated with sedation visits
• The use of nitrous oxide when used in combination with other sedative agents for use in pediatric patients
• Advantages and disadvantages of sedation and consider alternatives
• Identification and management of complications associated with sedation of the pediatric patient
• Literature on pediatric growth and development related to behavior
• Evidence on use of procedural sedation as an advanced behavior guidance technique
• Principles of clinical education when supervising resident in sedation clinic as part of an entrustable professional activity (EPA) schema. (Applies to Faculty Attendees Only)

Course Chair and Speaker:

Bobby Thikkurissy, D.D.S., M.S.; sarat.thikkurissy@cchmc.org

Speakers:

Stephen Wilson, D.M.D., M.A., Ph.D.; pedosw46@gmail.com

Scott Papineau, D.D.S, PharmD; spapinea@iu.edu

Cara Riley, D.M.D., M.S., D.A.D.B.A; cjcarajoy@gmail.com

Christine Quinn, D.D.S., M.S.; CQuinn@dentistry.ucla.edu

Jae Grymes, D.D.S.; jmgrymes@gmail.com

Ability to claim CE expires on October 18, 2028. Video content available to view until October 18, 2030.

Course Description

Procedural sedation is an advanced behavior guidance technique. This survey course features recognized leaders in both pediatric dentistry and dental anesthesia. Material will be taught through the use of didactic lectures, case studies, film clip sessions, panel discussions and hands-on opportunity with personalized attention. There will be dedicated forums to ask questions and discuss specific issues with course faculty, discuss techniques for effective communication with the patient and parent to address unusually challenging and complex situations. There is no magic bullet or perfect regimen for procedural sedation. This course will focus on the processes of patient assessment, treatment planning, risks/benefits/alternatives and patient rescue. This course is intended for pediatric dentists who have had training in sedation techniques in their graduate/residency programs. This course is consistent with the American Dental Association’s Guidelines on Teaching Pain Control and Sedation to Dentists and Dental Students in a Continuing Education Program. The level of this course, according to the ADA’s Guidelines, Part II, Definitions, Education Courses, is a survey course and does not offer direct, clinical patient management.

Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the participant should have a better understanding of the:

• Assessment of the Pediatric well-child, as well as the ill child
• Pediatric anatomy and physiology of the respiratory, cardiovascular and central nervous system related to sedation
• Commonly observed pharmacological effects of sedative agents used in pediatric sedations
• The appropriate physical assessment of the pediatric patient including risk assessment
• How to choose appropriate sedative(s) for the individual pediatric patient based on behavior, temperament and dental needs
• The appropriate monitoring equipment its indications based on depth of sedation and troubleshooting
• Guidelines and best practice literature associated with the sedation of pediatric patients
• Safe and judicious use of local anesthetics in combination with procedural sedation in the pediatric patient
• The principles of protocol in enhancing patient safety during oral sedation
• Intra-operative room and restorative preparation associated with sedation visits
• Principles associated with patient and family management and effective communication during sedation visits
• The use of nitrous oxide when used in combination with other sedative agents for use in pediatric patients
• Advantages and disadvantages of sedation and consider alternatives
• Identification and management of complications associated with sedation of the pediatric patient
• Discuss the pharmacological effects of combined drug therapy, their implications and management

Course Chair and Speaker:

Bobby Thikkurissy, D.D.S., M.S.; sarat.thikkurissy@cchmc.org

Speakers:

Stephen Wilson, D.M.D., M.A., Ph.D.; pedosw46@gmail.com

Scott Papineau, D.D.S, PharmD; spapinea@iu.edu

Cara Riley, D.M.D., M.S., D.A.D.B.A; cjcarajoy@gmail.com

Christine Quinn, D.D.S., M.S.; CQuinn@dentistry.ucla.edu

Jae Grymes, D.D.S.; jmgrymes@gmail.com

Ability to claim CE expires on October 18, 2028. Video content available to view until October 18, 2030.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry is excited to announce the Smiles Across the Globe symposium, held in partnership with the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry.

This symposium will cover a variety of engaging topics, including:

• Airway management and sleep apnea
• Artificial intelligence in diagnostic and digital workflows
• Minimally invasive dentistry and silver diamine fluoride (SDF)

Smiles Across the Globe 2025 Speaker Contacts:

Dr. Yasmi Crystal yasmioc@aol.com

Dr. Teresa Dolan Terri@overjet.ai

Dr. David Herrera davidher@odon.ucm.es

Dr. Ama Johal a.s.johal@qmul.ac.uk

Dr. Phoebus Madianos pmadian@dent.uoa.gr

Dr. David Manton d.j.manton@umcg.nl

Dr. Michelle Moffat michelle.moffat3@nhs.net

Dr. Martin Thornhill m.thornhill@sheffield.ac.uk

Dr. Mina Vaidyanathan Mina.Vaidyanathan1@nhs.net

This content will be available for CE through September 29, 2026. The course will be available for viewing through October 20, 2030.

Tests, articles and CE certificates for 6 issues of Pediatric Dentistry 2025 (Volume 47)

Speaker:  Cara J. Riley, DMD, MS

This presentation provides participants with tools for completing a thorough patient assessment when using sedation as a treatment modality, and then describes the advantages and disadvantages of specific sedation agents based on the findings of the assessment. Both medical history and physical examination will be discussed in a clinically relevant manner. Medications used for sedation will be reviewed in terms of pharmacology and clinical effect. The goal of the presentation is to help providers tailor the sedation regimen to meet the needs of the patient and the treatment.
Learning Objectives:

• Perform a thorough history and physical exam of the pediatric dental patient prior to sedation
• Identify the significance of common medical conditions when providing sedation to pediatric patients
• Tailor the sedation regimen to meet the needs of the patient and treatment

Speaker Contact: cjcarajoy@gmail.com

Ability to claim CE expires on May 25, 2028. Video content available to view until May 25, 2030.

String of Pearls Presentations from AAPD 2025.

Ability to claim CE expires on May 25, 2028. Video content available to view until May 25, 2030.

Speaker: Paul S. Casamassimo, DDS, MS – casamassimo.1@osu.edu / National Beverage Guidelines for Children Through 18 Years of Age
Speaker: Suher Baker, BDS, DMD, MS, MBA - subakertt@gmail.com / Oral Health and Medical Conditions: The Preterm Birth Checklist
Speaker: Daniel J. Grob, DDS, MS – drdjgrob@gmail.com / The Pediatric Orthodontic New Patient Exam, How Outside In and 3 Dimensional Imaging Benefits the Examination Process and Treatment
Speaker: Kevin Kennedy, DDS –  kevinkennedydds@gmail.com / Compassionate Care for Kids from Hard Places and Their Families
Speaker: Carolyn B. Crowell, DMD, FAAPD - carolyncrowell@icloud.com / A Novel Treatment for Deimpaction of Ectopic First Permanent Molars
Speaker: Jayakumar Jayaraman, BDS, MDS, MS, PhD - drjayhk@hotmail.com / Navigating Supernumerary Teeth: Referral vs. Removal - When and Why?
Speaker: Amanda K. Swanson, DDS - amanda.swanson@nationwidechildrens.org / Therapy Dogs in Your Pediatric Dentistry Practice
Speaker: Adi Genish, DDS –  genishdds@gmail.com / From Clicks to Clinics: Social Media's Broader Influence on Pediatric Dentistry
Speaker: Mala Desai, BDSc, MDSc, Grad Dip Clin Dent –  mala@drmala.com.au / Salivary Drooling in Children
Speaker: Kim Hammersmith, DDS, MPH, MS – kim.hammersmith@nationwidechildrens.org / Second Molar Substitution: When and Why to do it
Speaker: Nabil Ouatik, DMD, MSc, FRCD(C), FAAPD, MFDS RCPS(Glas) - nabil.ouatik@mcgill.ca / Digital Workflows for Predictable Autotransplantation of Teeth

Speaker:  Patrick T. Ruck, DDS

En-D'oh! A diagnostic case series for anterior endodontic care in the adolescent and teen. Clinical decision-making processes will be evaluated for immature and mature permanent anterior teeth that have been affected by trauma and or decay. The American Association of Endodontists and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry diagnostic criterium will be reviewed. Partial pulpotomy, apexogenesis, apexification, complete nonsurgical root canal therapy, and extraction including decoronation will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

• Familiar with the American Association of Endodontists and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry endodontic diagnostic criterium for pulpal and periapical findings
• Understand the clinical decision making for immature and mature permanent anterior teeth
• Learn with techniques of apexification, apexogenesis, regenerative endodontic, and non-surgical root canal therapy for immature and mature permanent anterior teeth

Speaker Contact: patrick.ruck@cchmc.org

Ability to claim CE expires on May 25, 2028. Video content available to view until May 25, 2030.

AAPD is offering CE for the courses at Annual Session you were not able to attend. You have the opportunity to purchase and earn CE hours. Purchase the Annual Session package here! 

Ability to claim CE expires on May 25, 2028. Video content available to view until May 25, 2030.

**Preconference Course sold separately.

Speaker:  Jessica Webb, DDS, MSD, MA, MSRT, ACC
Speaker:  Martha Ann Keels, DDS PhD
Speaker:  Abidin Hakan Tuncer, DDS, DMD, MPH, FSCD

This action-packed speed learning session will equip you with tools to provide exceptional care for children with special healthcare needs in your dental practice! In this session, you'll learn how to create an inclusive, sensory-friendly environment, discover practical strategies to manage self-injurious behavior, and a variety of other practice pearls. Plus, you'll gain valuable insights into smoothly transitioning aging-out patients to adult care, ensuring they continue to receive the support they need. Walk away with actionable tools to enhance your practice and better serve your patients—no matter their needs!

Learning Objectives:

• Operate a dental practice that is inclusive of children with special healthcare needs including; sensory adapted dental environments, universal design, and a range of practical strategies for private practitioners
• Implement effective techniques to manage oral self-injurious behavior
• Develop an efficient framework for coordinating the transition of aging-out patients with special healthcare needs to adult dental care

Speaker Contacts: jessica@fiercelyblissful.com, keels001@duke.edu, & abidin.tuncer@childrenscolorado.org

Ability to claim CE expires on May 25, 2028. Video content available to view until May 25, 2030.

Speaker:  J Tim Wright, DDS

Molar hypomineralization affects significant portions of children in the USA and globally and can lead to a variety of tooth phenotypes and morbidities. The etiology involves environmental stressors during tooth formation and likely has a genetic component that is not well-understood. This course will review the epidemiology and evidence related to etiology of molar hypomineralization as well as current therapeutic approaches for managing your patients with this condition. Preventive strategies, restorative techniques and esthetic solutions for both molars and when involved, incisors will be presented. Cases using new digitally fabricated restorations will be presented.

Learning Objectives:

• Define the epidemiology and etiology of molar hypomineralization and the condition's diagnostic features
• Describe the preventive and restorative approaches including glass ionomers, zirconia crowns and digital based treatment approaches
• Illustrate treatment approaches to manage hypomineralized lesions on incisors for optimal esthetic outcomes including bleaching, microabrasion and restorations

Speaker Contact: tim_wright@unc.edu

Ability to claim CE expires on May 25, 2028. Video content available to view until May 25, 2030.