Translational Approaches to Caries Prevention in Pediatric Populations

Pediatric oral health is an essential component of overall well-being, yet dental caries remains one of the most prevalent chronic conditions affecting children and adolescents worldwide. Recent advances in the field underscore persistent disparities in caries prevention and treatment, particularly among populations facing barriers to care such as those with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. While traditional approaches like school-based interventions have demonstrated value, they often fall short in addressing the complex needs of these groups. Ongoing debates surround the best integration of digital tools, tailored clinical protocols, and community-based initiatives to ensure every child, irrespective of background, benefits from effective preventive care. Emerging research highlights the need for innovative, adaptive, and inclusive strategies that bridge gaps and foster equity in pediatric oral health.This Research Topic aims to catalyze progress by gathering and disseminating pioneering evidence on approaches that expand the reach and efficacy of caries prevention in children and adolescents. It seeks to highlight translational models that go beyond conventional settings, emphasizing community, digital, and interdisciplinary frameworks for care. A core objective is to identify practical solutions and scalable interventions that assure equitable access to preventive dental health, especially in groups that have historically been underserved or marginalized. By encouraging collaboration between pediatric dentists, oral hygienists, nutritionists, psychologists, and public health experts, this collection aspires to accelerate the implementation of effective and innovative preventive models.The scope of this Research Topic encompasses inclusive, innovative, and evidence-based strategies for the prevention of dental caries in pediatric groups, while focusing especially on marginalized, medically complex, or socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. Submissions exploring both novel research and practical applications within these boundaries are welcomed.To gather further insights in this area, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Tailored preventive protocols for children with disabilities, chronic conditions, or special health care needs• Innovative behavioral and clinical methods for early childhood caries prevention• Utilization of digital health, tele-dentistry, and technology to enhance caries prevention and family engagement• Impact of nutrition and dietary interventions in caries risk management across socio-economic contexts• Development and evaluation of novel agents and materials for caries prevention (e.g., probiotics, biomimetic technologies, advanced fluoride formulations)• Education models for children, parents, and caregivers to improve home-based oral hygiene• Community-led or context-sensitive programs for underserved or rural pediatric populations• Influence of behavioral, social, and cultural determinants on preventive practices and adherence in children and families Topic editors: Claudia Salerno, Flavia Vitiello, Maria Grazia Cagetti Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/75559/translational-approaches-to-caries-prevention-in-pediatric-populations