Pediatric & Preventive Dentistry

Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

We at the Department of Pediatric & Preventive Dentistry focus on comprehensive oral health care needs of a child from infancy to adulthood and provide comprehensive, therapeutic as well as preventive care to all children including those with special care needs.

Since most of the dental diseases and oral health problems have their origin in childhood the department believes strongly in preventive care in the form of anticipatory guidance, school oral health programs (Nanhe Kadam), educating parents and children through a dedicated oral hygiene bay in the department. Providing affordable quality care and healthy smiles for all is the goal of the department and all the programs of the department are directed to achieve the same.

FACULTY

Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics Departmental Achievements ▼

Successfully organised an Advanced Endodontic workshop from 29th Jan to 31st Jan 2020. Dr. Vivek Hegde was the Speaker and Mentor. Total 8 candidates participated.
Successfully organised Cons-Endo Week by the Department from 1st – 6th March.
Organised an online scientific series “One Month One Hour – E-link Fest 2020” from 1st to 30th July 2020 with 26 eminent global speakers covering Endodontics, Restorative Dentistry, Research protocols and wellness topics.
Organised webinar “Heat of Pandemic, Metamorphosis of Dentistry: Play it Safe” by Dr. Vivek Hegde in collaboration with the Infection Control Committee, VSPM’s DCRC on 9th Nov 2020.
Total 10 books published by the department in 2020:

Contribution to Textbook of Endodontics (EMMESS)
Contribution to Essentials of Preclinical of Conservative Dentistry (Wolters Kluwer)
Recent Advances in Armamentarium of Shaping & Cleaning (Lambert Academic Publishing)
Veneers (Lambert Academic Publishing)
Adhesion to Tooth Structure (Lambert Academic Publishing)
Restoration of Endodontically Treated Teeth (Lambert Academic Publishing)
Vital Pulp Therapy (Sara Book Publication)
Endo Perio Relationship (Lambert Academic Publishing)
Dental Age Estimation in Adults (Lambert Academic Publishing)
Endodontic Retreatment – Success or Failure of Endodontic Therapy (Kindle Publication)

Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics Departmental Achievements ▼

Patent granted by Government of India – Unique pouch for sterilization and storage of dental instruments
Registered 4 patents for research with the Government of India: Unique method for target X-ray (2024), Gypsum products in dentistry and its environmental hazards (2019), Herbal Decontamination of Toothbrush (Idea Patent) 2018, GP Herbacare (2018)
Invited national speaker at various specialty conventions, national conferences, and local IDAs
Examiner and Paper Setter at various prestigious universities across India
Recognized Ph.D. Guide at MUHS, currently guiding 8 Ph.D. scholars
Chairperson for scientific sessions at various PG conferences and conventions
Member of various university committees and boards: Member of Local Inspection Committee, MUHS, Nashik; Member of the Staff Selection Committee at MUHS
Radio talks broadcast on All India Radio: 4
Doordarshan talk on “Arogya Dhan Sampada” program
Final year Nagpur University topper, 1990
1st Prize at AVISHKAR 2015, MUHS Nashik
Best Individual Performer Award at VSPMS Annual AWARD, 2015
Best Individual Performer Award at VSPM’s Annual AWARD, 2014
Awarded as a National Faculty at International Dental Students Congress 5.0, 2020
Invited as a scientific moderator at 12th IFEA World Endodontic Online Congress, 2020 and Kaleidoscope – a virtual conference by Army College of Dental Sciences with IACDE, 2020
Chairperson for 3-day online workshop for Ph.D. scholars, organized by Ph.D. Cell, VSPM Dental College & Research Centre, Nov 2020
Moderator for 1st MDS PG Orientation Program organized by IACDE, 30 Nov – 1 Dec 2020
Hosted the first-ever webinar series in endodontics (2014) and regional Endodontic conference (2012)
Hosted month-long online ELink Fest in 2020, 2021, and 2022 (“One Hour, One Month”)
Pioneer in establishing an Endoherb Garden (2012)
Developed Patient Management Software for Endodontic Practice – “Archivist”
Reviewer for esteemed Indian and International journals, including Endodontology, JCD, and JIDR
First-ever Lady President of GDCH, Nagpur
Nagpur University topper in final BDS
Publications: 104
PubMed Indexed: 20
Patents: 5
Copyrights: 10
Textbooks: 5
Chapters in Book: 11

Department Achievements ▼

Signed MOU with Government of Maharashtra for the sealant program in Chandrapur District.
Won 1st consolation prize for children’s day (week) celebration contest and 3rd prize in ‘Short awareness video’ category at National level by Indian Society of Pedodontics Preventive Dentistry, December 2020.
Organized the pre-conference courses for Pedocon 2018 National conference of ISPPD.
Conducted the Inaugural function of Pedocon 2018 National conference of ISPPD

Dr.Devendra Nagpal ▼

EC Member of Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry at the 46th National Conference, Bhubaneswar, Odisha for the year 2025–2026.
Guest lecture on the topic titled “Dental Photography” at Bharati Vidyapeeth Dental College and Hospital, Sangli on 27th and 28th March 2026.
Device Design titled “DENTAL APPLICATOR DEVICE” registered in the Patent Office, Government of India (Design No. 448975-001) on 11th March 2026.
E-Book published on Restorative Materials in Pediatric Dentistry (Lambert Academic Publishing) on 11th June 2025.
Faculty for PCC at the 20th PG Convention, ISPPD, Dehradun, February 2024.
Guest lecture on “Dental Photography Simplified” at the 44th ISPPD National Conference, Ahmedabad, 2023.
Chapter contribution to the textbook “Illustrated Pediatric Dentistry Part 4”, Bentham Books, ISBN: 978-981-5080-841.
Data from a published article featured on the cover page of the Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies, 2023.
Recipient of the Emerging Speaker Award at the 61st Maharashtra State Dental Conference, Amravati, 2022.
Received copyright for the work titled “CLINICAL DENTAL PHOTOGRAPHY SETTINGS SIMPLIFIED” from the Copyright Office, Government of India on 10th May 2022.

Dr.Gagandeep Lamba ▼

Awarded PhD degree in Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry in July 2025.
E-Book published on the efficacy of Silver Diamine Fluoride versus Nano Silver Fluoride (Lambert Academic Publishing).
International Patent (IP Australia) granted for an invention entitled “Oral Wipe and Its Method of Manufacturing Thereof” on 2nd July 2021 by the Commissioner of Patents, Australian Government.
Design Patent granted for an invention entitled “Clamp for Dental Handpiece and Suction Tip”.
Part of the Staff Selection Committee held at VYWS Dental College, Amravati in June 2026.
Contributed a book chapter in “Smart Dental Materials and Nanotechnology”.
Won 1st Prize in the E-Poster Competition held during Dentocon 3 Online Conference organized by the Faculty of Dentistry, Jamia Millia Islamia in collaboration with IESRF in March 2023.
MOC for the inaugural function at Pedocon, 40th ISPPD National Conference, Nagpur, October 2018.
Organizing Secretary for the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of VSPM DCRC in 2023.

Dr.Purva Chaudhary ▼

Received a copyright from the Copyright Office, Government of India for the literary work titled “Modified Diet Diary for Dental Caries Risk Assessment” on 18th May 2026.
Published a chapter in the textbook “Smart Dental Materials and Nanotechnology” on 23rd February 2026.
Conducted MUHS LIC inspection as an Inspector at GMC Akola on 12th March 2026.
Completed a National Level Open Book Examination on “Indian Laws and Schemes Meant for Empowering Women” on 11th October 2025.
E-Book published on Smart Materials in Pediatric Dentistry (Lambert Academic Publishing) on 6th February 2025.
Won First Prize in the Innovation Category Paper Presentation at Nidacon 2025, Nagpur.
Served as Faculty for BCLS Training at NKPSIMS, Nagpur on 19th December 2024.
Completed the Life Skills Training Program “Engage and Evolve – Life Skills for Resilience” organized by the Indian Association of Life Skills Education on 9th May 2022.
Presented a paper at the International Conference of SAAPD, Goa on 28th August 2022.
Chaired a scientific session at the International Conference of SAAPD, Goa on 26th August 2022.

Dr.Pooja Rathi ▼

Device Design titled “Audio-Tactile Interface for Dental Anxiety Monitoring in Visually Impaired” registered in the Patent Office, Government of India (Design No. 457187-001) on 16th June 2026.
Received MUHS Research Grant under the Long Term Research Grants (LTRG) 2023–2024 Scheme by the University Research Department, Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, Nashik, in July 2025.
Received a Copyright from the Copyright Office, Government of India for the literary work titled “Effectiveness of Simulated Breathing Musical Soft Toy in Alleviating Dental Anxiety During Restorative Procedures in 4–8-Year-Old Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial” (Registration No. LD-20260186478) on 8th May 2026.
Received a Copyright from the Copyright Office, Government of India for the literary work titled “Modified Diet Diary for Dental Caries Risk Assessment” (Registration No. LD-20260185940) on 29th April 2026.
Received a Copyright from the Copyright Office, Government of India for the literary work titled “Effectiveness of Distraction Cards in Reducing Anxiety and Pain Perception During Restorative Treatment in 6–8-Year-Old Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial” (Registration No. LD-20260185029) on 16th April 2026.
Contributed a chapter in the book titled “Smart Dental Materials and Nanotechnology” (Probecell Press, ISBN: 978-81-993778-6-8) on 14th March 2026.
Authored an E-Book titled “Pulp Therapy in Children”, published by Lambert Academic Publishing on 1st September 2025.
E-Book published on Non-Nutritive Sucking Habit (Lambert Academic Publishing) on 22nd February 2025.
Received copyright for a work titled “Create Awareness and Improve Oral Health in Hearing and Visually Impaired Population” from the Copyright Office, Government of India on 7th July 2023.
Received copyright for a work titled “Aaplyaa Moukhik Aarogyabadhal Braille Dware Shiku Ya!” from the Copyright Office, Government of India on 1st August 2023.

Dr.Ayushi Gurharikar ▼

E-Book published on Contemporary Understanding of Management of Avulsed Tooth (Lambert Academic Publishing) on 5th February 2025.
Received copyright for work titled “Accupressure for orofacial pain” dated 21st January 2025 from Copyright Office, Govt. of India.
1st prize poster presentation “My Health My Right” competition held by Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, RDDCRC, Nagpur on 8th April 2024

Dr.Samrudhi Khondalay ▼

Received copyright for the work titled “Comparative Evaluation of Antibacterial Efficacy of Pit and Fissure Sealants Incorporated with 38 Percent SDF and Conventional Pit and Fissure Sealants on Streptococcus mutans: A Study Protocol” from the Copyright Office, Government of India on 16th April 2025.
E-Book published on Smart Materials in Pediatric Dentistry (Lambert Academic Publishing) on 6th February 2025.
E-Book published on Minimal Intervention Dentistry (Lambert Academic Publishing) on 7th July 2025.
Published the chapter “Nano-Enhanced Dental Restorative Materials” in the book Smart Dental Materials and Technology on 14th March 2026.
Published an article in Academia Journal of Medicine, Volume 9, Issue 1 (January–June 2026), titled “Effect of Sugar-Free Chewing Gum on Salivary Flow Rate and Dental Plaque Levels: An Observational Study”.
E-Book published on Silver Diamine Fluoride (Lambert Academic Publishing) on 28th March 2025.
Received copyright for the work titled “Effectiveness of Traditional Versus Digital Oral Health Education Interventions for Parents of Kindergarten Children – An Interventional Study” from the Copyright Office, Government of India on 5th December 2025.
Received copyright for the thesis titled “Comparing and Evaluating the Behavioral Changes and Anxiety in Sensory Adapted Dental Environment (SADE) and Regular Dental Environment (RDE) on 6–8-Year-Aged Children: A Randomized Control Cross-Over Study” from the Copyright Office, Government of India on 24th July 2025.
Received copyright for the short study titled “Comparison of Cleaning Efficacy and Effectiveness of Triple-Headed Toothbrush and Manual U-Shaped Toothbrush in 3–6-Year-Aged Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial” from the Copyright Office, Government of India on 16th October 2025.
Received copyright for the systematic review protocol titled “Proximal Contact Tightness and Contour of Circumferential and Sectional Matrix Band System in Class II Restorations in Pediatric Patients” from the Copyright Office, Government of India on 16th April 2026.

Dr. Juili Dharlikar ▼

Published an article in Journal of Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Volume 44, Issue 1 (January–February 2026), titled “Clinical Outcome of Maxillary Arch Expansion with Clear Aligners in Mixed Dentition: A Systematic Review”.
Received a copyright for the work titled “Comparative Evaluation of Instrumentation Time, Quality of Obturation and Postoperative Pain Using Kedo S Plus and Pro AF Baby Gold Rotary File System for Primary Molar Pulpectomies: A Randomized Controlled Trial”.
Received a copyright for the work titled “Effect of Preoperative Use of Virtual Reality Goggles on Dental Anxiety in 6–8-Year-Old Children Undergoing Restorative Treatment: A Double-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial”.
Received the MUHS Short Term Research Grant (STRG) 2023–2024 from the University Research Department, Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS), Nashik, in July 2025.
2nd Prize at INTERLINK-2025, held at Amravati, for research paper presentation titled “Clinical Outcome of Maxillary Arch Expansion with Clear Aligners in Mixed Dentition: A Systematic Review”.
1st Prize in Poster Presentation titled “My Health, My Right”, organized by the Department of Public Health Dentistry, RDDCRC, on 8 April 2024.

Students Achievements

Dr.Neha Tapdiya ▼

Abstract tilted “Ozone therapy in paediatric dentistry” has been published in Journal of Indian society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry 2024

Dr. Roshani Jadhav ▼

Dr. Aishwarya Chinchkhede ▼

Short-term research grant received from MUHS on work titled “Comparative evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy and micro-leakage of pit and fissure sealants incorporated with triphala and liquorice extracts.”

Dr. Mohini Pawshekar ▼

Copyright of thesis Titled “Effectiveness of distraction cards in reducing anxiety and pain perception during restorative treatment in 6-8-year-old children: A randomized controlled trial”
Copyright of short study Titled “Effectiveness of simulated breathing musical soft toy in alleviating dental anxiety during restorative procedures in 4-8-year-old children: A randomized clinical trial”

Dr. Sayali Nandangiri ▼

Short-term research grant received from MUHS on work titled “Effectiveness of two acupressure points on pain experience during inferior alveolar nerve block injection in children aged 6-8 years – a randomized controlled trial.”

Dr. Neha Tapdiya ▼

Copyright of thesis Titled “comparing and evaluating the behavioral changes and anxiety in sensory adapted dental environment (sade) and regular dental environment (rde) on 6-8 years aged children: a randomized control cross over study”
Copyright of short study Titled “comparison of cleaning efficacy and effectiveness of triple headed toothbrush and manual u-shaped toothbrush in 3–6-year aged children: a randomized controlled trial”
Copyright of systemic review protocol Titled “Proximal contact tightness and contour of circumferential and sectional matrix band system in class II restorations in pediatric patients”

Dr. Sheel Mate ▼

Copyright of thesis Titled: – Comparative evaluation of effects of different anti-oxidants in reducing discoloration caused by 38% silver diamine fluoride in primary molars: A randomized controlled trial.

Dr. Shruti Dawale ▼

Copyright has been registered for the work titled “Comparative evaluation of efficacy of lidocaine gel and lidocaine ice button as topical anaesthetic for greater palatine nerve block in children aged 6-10 years: a randomized controlled trial.”
Copyright has been registered for the work titled “Effectiveness of biofeedback therapy on dental anxiety of 7-12 year old children during restorative procedures- a randomized controlled trial.”
Copyright has been registered for the work titled “Classical features of Gunther’s disease.”

Dr. Jaya Somkuwar ▼

Published an article in Special Care in Dentistry titled “Goldenhar Syndrome and its Clinical Manifestation with Dentofacial Considerations: A Case Report” in February 2025.
Published an article in Journal of South Asian Association of Pediatric Dentistry titled “Comparative Evaluation of Brix3000 Smart Burs and Conventional Technique of Caries Excavation Among 5–9-Year-Old Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial” in January 2025.
Published an article in British Medical Journal – Case Reports titled “Odontome and its Pathological Effect on Surrounding Teeth” in June 2024.
Published an article in Cureus Journal of Medical Science titled “Impediments and Discretion during Management Perplexities in Cases of Dental Impactions: A Case Series” in May 2024.
1st Prize in Poster Presentation at the 3rd Annual (Virtual) Conference on Early Childhood Caries, organized by Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Porur, Chennai, on 29th and 31st August 2023.
2nd Prize in Paper Presentation at the 19th National ISPPD PG Convention – Pedoverse, organized by Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, SIMATS, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, held from 23rd to 25th February 2023.
2nd Prize in Paper Presentation at the 3rd World Dental Science and Oral Health Conference, held from 23rd to 26th June 2022 at Fairfield by Marriott, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, organized by Cynodent and ISD.
1st Prize at the 1st Annual Conference of Maxillofacial Trauma Gallery, organized by the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, held on 12th and 13th May 2022.
2nd Prize in Paper Presentation at the 4th International Conference of Forensic Odontology and Child Abuse, organized by the Forensic Odontology Unit, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, held from 28th to 31st March 2022.

Dr. Shruti ▼

Won the Consolation Prize in the E-Poster category for the presentation titled “Aesthetic Rehabilitation of a 10-Year-Old Boy Diagnosed with Gunther’s Disease” at the 7th International Symbiosis Interdisciplinary Conference and Competition 2026, organized by SPDC, Wardha.

Dr. Sayali ▼

Copyright has been registered for the work titled “Evaluating and Comparing the Reliability and Accuracy of Artificial Intelligence Chatbots (ChatGPT-5 and Gemini 2.5 Pro) in Addressing Parental Concerns Regarding Dental Trauma”.