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About Stephen J. Moss
Expertise
I am a professor emeritus at New York University, with a background that includes extensive research, scientific writing and biology. I also am an international consultant in health education, particularly in developing education on new science for health professionals and consumers. I am a past president of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, former head of the NYU Division of Oral Biology and I represent the World Dental Federation at the United Nations. I travel around the world to provide health education to professionals and consumers.
Experience
Having retired from New York Universit, where I directed the pediatric dentistry training program, a walk-in dental clinic and research on oral biology, I formalized my professional and consumer health education initiative in the form of Health Education Enterprises. This entity consults and provides information on new science pertaining to oral and general health, particularly leading edge concepts that can be employed in the health professions to improve the public's health. As such, I am an expert in communicating new science and its usefulness to professional and lay audiences alike. I also had a pediatric dentistry practice in New York City for nearly 30 years.
Organizations
I am affiliated with the American Dental Association, the World Dental Federation, the International Association of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Association of Pediatric Dentistry among other formal organizations. My experience has included a research fellowship at the National Institutes of Health and work at the Forsythe Dental Research Center
Publications
lpha Omegan USA, Nowa Stomatologia Poland, Journal of Public Health Dentistry, The Journal of the Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry USA, News Bulletin Japan, Journal of Marmara University Dental Faculty Turkey, Italian Journal of Paediatric Dentistry Italy, Asian Dentist Singapore, The Journal of the Israel Dental Association Israel, ROBRAC Brazil, Italian Journal of Paediatric Dentistry
Italy, FDI World, STOMA Portugal, Pediatric Dentistry The Philippines, Modern Stomatology Bulgaria, Journal of the Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry India
Education/Credentials
I obtained a doctor of dental science (DDS) degree, a master of science degree and am a board certified pediatric dentist.
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You are here: Experts > Health/Fitness > Dentistry > Dentistry > Kids' Crowns
Expert: Stephen J. Moss - 10/19/2009
Question
My daughter is 5.5, and has just gotten a checkup where the dentist said she needs 3 crown and a few fillings. One we did, because it was hurting her, but do we need to do the others, if they do not hurt? It's a question of whether it's wasting money or if there can be damage done to the permanent teeth. The dentist said "her teeth are healthy", and rattled off a string of treatments, so I would like an unbiased opinion.
Thanks much for this impressive service!
Answer
Dear Sam,
The teeth the dentist wants to fix should be in your daughters mouth until age 11 or 12.
Early loss of those teeth can lead to problems with the path of eruption of the permanent teeth.
Infection in these same primary teeth can damage the forming enamel of the permanent teeth.
When primary teeth begin to hurt that means that their nerves are being severely damaged and the teeth can become a problem to try to save.
Wish I could in confidence tell you wait till they hurt and then try to fix them, it is logical but the risk-benefit ratio is not in your favor.
Without seeing the extent of the decay on the teeth in question it is too hard to present you with an unbiased opinion.
All the best,
DR. Moss
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