Developmental Guidance, Prevention, and Epidemiology

Growth and Development Assessment, Interceptive Orthodontics, Preventive Dentistry, Epidemiology (Pediatric focus). Subtopics: Assessment of dental and skeletal age. Management of developing occlusion and space discrepancies (e.g., early loss of primary molars and subsequent space maintainer selection). Fluoride Therapy (topical/systemic applications, safety, toxicity). Indications and types of Dental Sealants. Application and interpretation of pediatric-relevant Epidemiological Indices (DMFT, def-t). Strategies for community-level caries prevention programs.