Childhood Smiles Shines Globally: Dr. Debarchhana Jena Wins Prestigious IAPD Caries Management Award
At Childhood Smiles, our mission has always been simple – to provide gentle, evidence-based, and world-class pediatric dental care to every child who walks through our doors. Today, we are incredibly proud to share a milestone that reflects this commitment.
Our pediatric dentist, Dr. Debarchhana Jena, has been awarded the IAPD Caries Management Case Report Award at the 30th International Association of Paediatric Dentistry (IAPD) Congress held in Cape Town, South Africa (2025).
This global recognition highlights her innovative approach to managing one of the most challenging dental conditions in infants – Severe Early Childhood Caries (S-ECC) – through a blend of minimally invasive and restorative techniques.
About the Award-Winning Case
The winning case was titled:
“Amalgamation of Non-Restorative & Restorative Caries Management of Severe Early Childhood Caries (S-ECC) in an Infant: A 12-Month Follow-Up Case Report.”
It documented the journey of a 12-month-old infant who arrived with white and brown patches on the front teeth, diagnosed as S-ECC – a rapidly progressing form of tooth decay common in toddlers.
Dr. Jena’s treatment approach stood out because it blended two philosophies of pediatric dentistry:
1. Non-Restorative Caries Care (NRCC)
This first phase focused on:
- Fluoride varnish applications
- CPP-ACP based remineralizing cream
- Feeding counselling (especially reducing night-time breast-feeding frequency)
- Diet modification (removal of refined sugar, juices, packaged snacks)
- Improved brushing routine
This approach aimed to halt disease progression and improve the child’s oral environment — without drilling or invasive procedures.
2. Restorative Care Under IV Sedation
As the child grew and certain challenges arose — enamel chip-off, poor cooperation, and rising aesthetic concerns — a second phase of care was planned.
Under safe, short-duration IV sedation (with a pediatric anaesthesiologist present), Dr. Jena performed:
- Selective caries removal to preserve tooth vitality
- Minimal preparation using a modified Hall’s technique
- Placement of anterior Bioflex crowns — an aesthetic, flexible, child-friendly alternative to zirconia
- Cementation using high-strength, fluoride-releasing glass ionomer cement
The Result?
A beautifully restored smile… without trauma, without pain, and with long-term stability.
12-Month Follow-Up: Strong, Healthy & Successful
The case followed the child’s progress for 3, 6, and 12 months through:
- Clinical checks
- Radiographs
- Photographic comparison
By the end of the year, the child showed:
- Excellent healing
- Continued tooth vitality
- Stable crowns
- Significant improvement in oral hygiene
- Strong parental compliance
This case reinforced an important truth – successful pediatric dentistry relies on a combination of science, skill, and strong parental involvement.
Why This Case Stood Out Internationally
The jury appreciated this case for:
- Its minimally invasive philosophy
- Use of modified Hall’s technique in anterior teeth
- A combination of NRCC + restorative care
- High-quality follow-up documentation
- Its success in managing caries in a very young infant
- The emphasis on parental education and participation in oral hygiene
Dr. Jena also had the opportunity to interact with global leaders in pediatric dentistry, including Dr. Norman Tinanoff, one of the world’s most respected experts in caries management – further enriching the learning experience.
What This Means for Our Patients
This achievement reflects our core philosophy at Childhood Smiles:
✔ We stay updated with the latest global research
✔ We adopt minimally invasive, child-friendly techniques
✔ We collaborate closely with parents
✔ We provide evidence-based care in a tear-free, compassionate environment
Your child receives care from a team that is continuously learning, growing, and contributing to the global pediatric dentistry community.
A Proud Moment for Childhood Smiles & India
Dr. Debarchhana Jena’s recognition at a global platform reinforces our belief that every child deserves world-class dental care, regardless of age, challenges, or fear.
We are grateful for the trust parents place in us — and we promise to keep raising the bar.
