Assessing and Managing Developing Dentition

Strengthen your approach to managing the developing dentition in a child

Children’s dentition changes rapidly as they grow, making it essential to distinguish normal development from problems that may need early intervention or specialist referral.

This course will help you build a more systematic approach to assessing developing dentition, identifying common orthodontic concerns, and making informed management decisions in paediatric dental practice.

Assess developing dentition with greater confidence

Examine normal eruption patterns, tooth position, occlusion, and sequential dental development before applying structured orthodontic assessment techniques.

You’ll use clinical findings, study models, and diagnostic records to recognise variation and identify signs that may require closer monitoring or intervention.

Recognise common orthodontic problems early

Investigate conditions including anterior open bite, increased overjet, crossbite, molar incisor hypomineralisation, impactions, ectopic canines, and eruption disturbances.

You’ll consider how these problems present, when early intervention may be appropriate, and when referral to an orthodontic specialist is the best next step.

Plan management and referral pathways

Develop practical strategies for managing localised crowding, infra-occluded molars, supernumerary teeth, and skeletal discrepancies.

You’ll also consider communication with children and families, multidisciplinary care, and how timely referral can support better functional and aesthetic outcomes.

By the end of the course, you’ll be better equipped to assess developing dentition, identify orthodontic concerns, and make confident decisions about monitoring, management, and referral.

This course is for dentists and other dental professionals who care for children and want to strengthen their skills in paediatric orthodontic assessment, early intervention, and referral decision-making.

This course is for dentists and other dental professionals who care for children and want to strengthen their skills in paediatric orthodontic assessment, early intervention, and referral decision-making.

• Assess child patients for ongoing or emerging occlusal problems
• Identify occlusal problems in children and young people
• Describe growth and development of the teeth and jaws in children
• Summarise commonly occurring orthodontic problems in the developing child
• Identify problems affecting eruption and exfoliation in the developing child
• Describe the relationship between an increased overset and dental trauma
• Assess child patients presenting with MIH and consider appropriate management options