Beyond the Drill: Contemporary Minimally Invasive Pediatric Dentistry

Beyond the Drill: Contemporary Minimally Invasive Pediatric Dentistry is an evidence-based lecture designed for dental professionals seeking to incorporate modern, patient-centered approaches to pediatric caries management. This course will review emerging trends in minimally invasive dentistry and their role in shifting the focus from traditional surgical intervention toward prevention, remineralization, and preservation of tooth structure. Participants will explore current evidence and clinical protocols for fluoride therapies, silver diamine fluoride (SDF), sealants, Curodont, resin infiltration, and Cariesolv, as well as minimally invasive restorative techniques including ART, ITR, the Hall technique, and selective caries removal. The lecture will also emphasize practical clinical decision-making, case selection, and effective communication strategies to improve caregiver understanding, treatment acceptance, and adherence to preventive recommendations. Attendees will leave with practical tools to integrate minimally invasive principles into daily pediatric practice while improving patient comfort, clinical outcomes, and long-term oral health.

CRISTINA PEREZ PACHECO, DDS, MS was born in Concepcion, Chile and later moved to Columbus, Ohio, while her parents studied at The Ohio State University 1981-1989. She received her dental degree (DDS) from the University of Concepcion, Chile, in 1998. She completed a residency program in Pediatric Dentistry from 2001-2002. She then completed a certificate program in Pathophysiology of temporomandibular disorders in children in 2006 before moving to Kentucky where she completed a residency program in Orofacial pain from 2008-2011 and from which she obtained a Master’s degree. Dr. Perez has obtained board certification in both Pediatric Dentistry and Orofacial Pain making her one of the few dually trained and dually board certified. In 2011, Dr. Perez joined the University of Kentucky, in the division of Pediatric Dentistry. She works with predoctoral students as well as residents in training. Her current areas of research are sleep disorders in children, TMD in adolescents, and pain management in children.