Browsing by Author "Vinson, LaQuia"

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    Evaluation of Claim Reports for Potential Impact of COVID-19 on Pediatric Dental Procedures
    (American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, 2023-01) Bauer, Brittany A.; Yepes, Juan F.; Vinson, LaQuia; Sanders, Brian J.; Eckert, George; Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry
    Purpose: To evaluate whether the postponement of dental elective procedures at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with an increased number of simple dental extractions, and/or decreased restorative procedures by analyzing data obtained from state-funded insurance dental claims. Methods: Paid dental claims collected from March 2019 to December 2019 and from March 2020 to December 2020 for children ages two to 13 years old were analyzed. Dental procedures were selected based on Current Dental Terminology (CDT) codes for simple dental extractions and restorative procedures. Statistical analyses were performed to compare the rates of procedure types between 2019 and 2020. Results: No differences in dental extractions but full-coverage restoration procedure rates per month and child were significantly lower than pre-pandemic (P=0.016). Conclusion: Further study required to determine the impact of COVID-19 on pediatric restorative procedures and access to pediatric dental care in the surgical setting.
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    Pediatric phantom dosimetry using a hand-held portable dental radiology device
    (MedDocs, 2020) Bozic, Zachary D.; Yepes, Juan F.; Jones, James E.; Sanders, Brian J.; Vinson, LaQuia; Johnson, Brandon; Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry
    Background: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the radiation dose of the NOMAD Pro 2 device for different anatomical areas using a pediatric phantom. Methods: Absorbed doses resulting from a maxillary anterior occlusal and bitewing projections of an anthropomorphic 10-year-old child phantom were acquired using optical stimulated dosimetry. Equivalent doses were calculated for radiosensitive tissues in the head and neck area, and effective dose for maxillary anterior occlusal and bitewing examinations were calculated following the 2007 recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). In addition, the effective dose of backscatter radiation to the operator was recorded. Results: Of the anterior occlusal scans, the salivary glands had the highest equivalent dose, followed by oral mucosa extra thoracic airway and thyroid gland. For the bitewing projection scan, the salivary glands had the highest equivalent dose followed closely by the oral mucosa. The operator had minimal recorded dose. Conclusion: Compared to previous research, completed with the adult phantom, a child receives less radiation for bitewing and anterior occlusal projections using a hand-held portable device than when a traditional wall mounted device is utilized.
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    Prescription of Panoramic Radiographs in Children: A Health Services Assessment of Current Guidelines
    (American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, 2017) Yepes, Juan F.; Powers, Elizabeth; Downey, Tim; Eckert, George J.; Tang, Qing; Vinson, LaQuia; Maupomé, Gerardo; Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry
    Purpose: To (1) determine adherence to guidelines when prescribing panoramic radiographs (PR) for patients 18 y.o. and younger; and 2) compare PR prescriptions between general dentists (GPs) and pediatric dentists (PDs). Methods: A retrospective analysis of insurance claims included codes for PRs and associated codes for two cities between 2008 and 2015. Chi-square tests ascertained the likelihood of a PR being associated within three days of routine exams. Results: A total of 81,699 pediatric patients were seen by 2,077 GPs and 103 PDs. There were 11,993 PRs, 119,068 routine exams (7,343 associated with a PR), 13,819 orthodontic procedures (378 associated with a PR), 798 third molar procedures (172 associated with a PR), and 16,636 procedures for acute problems (1,670 associated with a PR). Patients aged eight years old and younger had the largest discrepancy between GPs and PDs. GPs prescribed proportionally more films in patients five years old and younger, but PDs prescribed more in seven and eight year olds. Nine- to 18 year olds. had more similar patterns between GPs and PDs, except for 14- to 15 year olds, when GPs prescribed more. Conclusions: GPs prescribed PR in patients younger than five years old more often and were somewhat less likely to follow guidelines.
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    Stainless Steel Crown Success Using the Hall Technique: A Retrospective Study
    (Elsevier, 2014-12) Ludwig, Kevin; Fontana, Margherita; Vinson, LaQuia; Platt, Jeffrey; Dean, Jeffrey; Department of Pediatric Dentistry, IU School of Dentistry
    Background In this retrospective study, the authors evaluated the clinical and radiographic success of stainless steel crowns (SSCs) used to restore primary molars with caries lesions, placed by means of both the traditional technique (involving complete caries removal and tooth reduction before placement of the SSC) and the Hall technique (involving no caries removal, no crown preparation and no use of local anesthetic before placement of the SSC). Methods The authors conducted a retrospective chart review by using the patient records at a private pediatric dental practice at which the Hall technique had been introduced in June 2010 as an alternative treatment to traditional SSC placement. The inclusion criteria were caries lesions on a primary molar with no clinical or radiographic evidence of pulpitis, necrosis or abscess, as well as follow-up of at least six months or until failure, whichever came first. They graded restoration success by using a four-point scale based on presence or loss of the SSC, and whether or not the patient needed further treatment associated with pulpal pathology or secondary caries. They collected and summarized patient demographic information. They used a Kaplan-Meier survival curve along with 95 percent confidence intervals to evaluate clinical success. Results The authors found that 65 (97 percent) of 67 SSCs placed with the Hall technique (mean observation time, 15 months; range, four-37 months) and 110 (94 percent) of 117 SSCs placed with the traditional technique (mean observation time, 53 months; range, four-119 months) were successful. Conclusion Findings of this study show a similar success rate for SSCs placed with the traditional technique or the Hall technique.
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    Survival analysis of metal crowns versus restorations in primary mandibular molars
    (ADA, 2017-10) Maupomé, Gerardo; Yepes, Juan F.; Galloway, Madison; Tang, Qing; Eckert, George J.; Downey, Timothy; Vinson, LaQuia; Cariology, Operative Dentistry and Dental Public Health, School of Dentistry
    Background The effectiveness of stainless steel crowns (SSCs) versus direct restorations when placed in primary mandibular molars (teeth nos. L and S) is uncertain. The authors evaluated effectiveness by gauging longevity of treatment. Methods The authors obtained private dental insurance claims (2004-2016) from a national dental data warehouse. Paid insurance claims records (n = 1,323,489) included type of treating dentist, treatment placed, and patient age. Results Dentist specialty, type of treatment, and patient age were significant in predicting failure after the first restoration. The authors found high survival rates for all treatments (> 90%) after 5 years; however, as soon as within 3 years after treatment, SCCs had approximately 6% better survival. Conclusions Teeth nos. L and S first treated with SSCs lasted longer without new treatment compared with teeth first treated with direct restorations; the difference was small. Teeth treated by pediatric dentists had better survival rates. Practical Implications Primary mandibular first molars initially treated with SSCs lasted longer without new treatment compared with direct restorations. Overall dental care costs of the former were considerably higher.