#42 Children's Dentistry with Dr. Mihiri Silva (Specialist Paediatric Dentist)

In this episode of The ODONTOJAM Podcast, Dr. Jesse Liang sits down with paediatric dentist and researcher Dr. Mihiri Silva to explore some of the most misunderstood aspects of children's oral health.

Drawing on both clinical experience and research, Mihiri discusses why pain can be difficult to recognise and interpret in children, how emerging technologies such as intraoral scanners and AI-assisted caries detection may transform diagnosis, and the challenges of managing Molar Incisor Hypomineralisation (MIH).

The conversation also dives into behaviour change, communication with children and parents, oral health inequities, and why improving children's oral health often requires addressing social and environmental factors beyond the dental clinic.

Whether you're a general dentist, oral health therapist, specialist, student, or parent, this episode offers practical insights into the complexities of caring for young patients.

Key Topics & Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction

01:00 – Understanding pain in children and why pain perception is more complex than many clinicians realise

04:30 – Digital dentistry, intraoral scanners, and the future of AI-assisted caries detection

06:30 – Managing Molar Incisor Hypomineralisation (MIH): beyond the visible enamel defects

09:20 – Clinical decision-making for MIH and the challenges of long-term treatment planning

11:30 – Stainless steel crowns, restorative options, and preserving compromised teeth

12:20 – Practical strategies for engaging anxious children in the dental setting

14:40 – Working effectively with parents and managing expectations

17:40 – Oral health inequities in Australia and the social determinants of dental disease

20:00 – Behaviour change, psychology, and why knowledge alone rarely changes habits

22:30 – School-based oral health education and prevention programs

24:00 – Advice for dentists considering a career in paediatric dentistry

25:20 – Final thoughts and wrap-up

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