Compassionate care: Embracing minimally invasive dentistry for your youngest patients

As we celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month, we want to recognize your commitment to providing the highest standard of care for children and families. Your role as the dental home for children and families is vital — not just for treating dental issues, but for shaping lifelong health and confidence in every child you serve.

Putting patients first with minimally invasive dentistry (MID)

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) champions a patient- and family-centered approach to dental care, especially for your youngest and most vulnerable patients. Their policy on MID is designed to support you in delivering care that is gentle, effective and tailored to each child’s unique needs.

Key points from the AAPD policy:

• MID is patient- and family-centered, risk-based chronic disease management within the dental home. This approach promotes preventive and caries-management measures to achieve individualized behavioral and treatment goals.
• Encourage remineralization (e.g., fluoride varnish) to strengthen teeth and prevent decay.
• Promote caries arrest (e.g., silver diamine fluoride (SDF), sealants) to stop cavities from progressing.
• Use minimal intervention approaches (e.g., interim therapeutic restorations (ITR), Hall-technique stainless steel and prefabricated crowns) until a definitive restoration is possible or the primary tooth exfoliates.
• Prioritize tooth-sparing techniques (e.g., resin infiltration, sealants) to prevent or delay the restorative cycle.
• Avoid pulp exposure in vital teeth whenever possible, preserving natural tooth structure.
• Conventional restorative care remains important — minimal intervention does not replace traditional restorations but complements them. Close monitoring, active surveillance and frequent professional recare are essential.
• Support further research into the efficacy and safety of minimally invasive interventions for infants, children, adolescents and individuals with special healthcare needs.

The dental home you create is more than a place for treatment — it’s a safe haven where children and families learn, grow and thrive.

Thank you for being champions of children’s health. Together, we are building brighter, healthier futures — one smile at a time.

Source: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry: Policy on Minimally Invasive Dentistry

The information contained herein is for informational and educational purposes only. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice.