disrupted teeth as having “chalky enamel” and “chalky spots” that “crumble” easily.
,
Such evocative descriptors subsequently became research staples and a popular colloquialism
(“chalky teeth”) used by some dental practitioners.
Today, after easing various sticking points, The D3 Group (D3G) for developmental
dental defects (D3s) is using chalky teeth to headline its international campaign
for alleviating decay through medical prevention of “chalky molars” (molar hypomineralization
[MH]).
,
,
,
MH, which affects the 2-year molars, 6-year molars, or both in 1 in 5 children worldwide
and is causally linked to infantile illness, is well evidenced but poorly recognized
as a principal risk factor for childhood decay.
,
,
The chalky enamel centenary coincides with 2 advances—a scientific breakthrough and
the inaugural D3 symposium—that create opportunities for improving global health.
,
But will the profession rally and grab the bull by its horns?
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Biography
Dr. Hubbard is the research director, Melbourne Research Unit for Facial Disorders, and the founder and director, The D3 Group for Developmental Dental Defects, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Article Info
Footnotes
Editorials represent the opinions of the authors and not necessarily those of the American Dental Association.
Disclosure. Dr. Hubbard did not report any disclosures.
Identification
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adaj.2020.07.022
Copyright
© 2020 American Dental Association. All rights reserved.
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