Molar Incisor Hypomineralisation (MIH) is a prevalent condition with more than one sixth of children affected in many diverse communities, with around 5% affected severely. The aetiological factors are still uncertain. The major physical defect of hypomineralised enamel is a decrease in hardness related to decrease mineral content. Subsequent to this, the prognosis of currently available restorative procedures is poor and extraction may be an eventual outcome. Current research will be discussed including recent mechanical properties, prevalence and aetiological factor studies. Treatment planning for hypomineralised molars in the child is a complicated, difficult and often thankless task, as decisions made at the time can have long term consequences.

Biography

Graduated BDSc (Melb) in 1984 and worked in general practice until 1991 when he undertook an MDSc in Paediatric Dentistry. He was dental advisor to the Federal Government from 1994 – 1996 and won the KG Sutherland Prize of the RACDS in 2007. David is currently the Elsdon Storey Professor of Child Dental Health and heads the section of Growth and Development (Paediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics) at The University of Melbourne and is involved in several collaborative and postgraduate research projects.

David has spoken throughout Australia, Asia and Europe and has wide ranging experience in laboratory and clinical trials of CPP-ACP, Minimal Intervention Dentistry and the detection of caries. His interests are in caries detection, teledentistry, the demineralisation and remineralisation of enamel, CPP-ACP, fluoride and molar-incisor hypomineralisation (MIH).