Oral and Dental Trauma in Kids

From playground falls to sports injuries, oral trauma is part of growing up. But when a tooth gets chipped, knocked out or a lip is cut, it can be stressful for families and challenging for providers. In this episode, we take a closer look at pediatric dental and oral trauma from the primary care perspective. We are focusing on what to look for, when to act and how to guide families through those anxious first moments after an injury. This episode was recorded on the exhibit floor at the 2025 American Academy of Pediatrics Conference in Denver, Colorado. Joining us is Erica Brecher, DMD. She is a pediatric dentist with Duke Street Pediatric Dentistry and is on staff at Duke Children's Hospital. She is also an adjunct professor at the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry. Some highlights from this episode include:  Most common oral and dental traumas in kids  How outcomes differ from baby teeth to permanent teeth  What steps a pediatrician can take to save a tooth  Why a strong partnership between the pediatric and dental home can improve outcomes    For more information on Children's Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org. 

Groin bulges, scrotal swelling, and nonpalpable testes are findings that often surface during routine well-child exams, and they can raise immediate questions for pediatricians and families alike. Is this normal? Will it resolve on its own? Or does it require surgical referral? In this episode, we take a closer look at three common genitourinary conditions in children: inguinal hernias, hydroceles, and undescended testes. We diagnose the details to help clarify the evaluation process, management strategies, and referral guidelines that every pediatrician should know.  This episode was recorded on the exhibit floor at the 2025 American Academy of Pediatrics Conference in Denver, Colorado. Joining us is Eric Bortnick, MD. He is a Urologist and Assistant Professor of Urology at the Yale School of Medicine.   Some highlights from this episode include:  How common these conditions are in the pediatric population  When pediatricians can make a difference in these patients lives, versus when referral is really necessary.  Key takeaways to performing a successful physical exam  Creating a safe space for proper diagnosis  For more information on Children's Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org. 

The childhood immunization schedule is one of the defining pillars of pediatric practice and remains among the most successful public health achievements of the modern era. Yet, in recent months, the schedule and the systems that support it have faced new challenges, raising serious concerns for pediatricians across the country. This episode was recorded live at the 2025 American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference in Denver, Colorado. In this episode, we discuss the latest AAP vaccine updates and the evolving landscape of childhood immunizations. Sue Kressly, MD, is a general pediatrician as well as the President of the AAP. Sean O'Leary, MD, is a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Children's Colorado and a professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He is also chair of the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases, otherwise known as the Red Book Committee. Some highlights from this episode include:  The latest AAP immunization guidance and policy updates  Changes currently impacting pediatricians  Insight into the near future of vaccine distributions  Strategies for combatting confusion and shifting vaccine confidence  For more information on Children's Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org. 

Ocular complaints in children, such as a red or painful eye, sudden vision changes, or difficulty opening one eye, may be more than a minor concern. In pediatrics, these presentations can progress rapidly, and timely recognition is critical to preventing long-term vision impairment. A focused five-minute eye examination can often distinguish between emergent, urgent and routine conditions, making early assessment and intervention essential in the primary care setting.  This episode was recorded on the exhibit floor at the 2025 American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference in Denver, Colorado. Our guest is Donny Suh, MD, Professor of Ophthalmology and Chief of Pediatric Ophthalmology at the University of California, Irvine, and Children's Hospital of Orange County.  Some highlights from this episode include:  What a pediatrician can learn in five minutes  The most common ocular injuries that pediatrician's encounter  How pediatricians can support a patient before sending to a specialist  How understanding a patient's history can help a pediatrician For more information on Children's Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org. 

Enuresis, or bedwetting, is one of the most common concerns encountered in pediatrics. It can present as nighttime bedwetting, daytime urinary accidents, or a combination of both. Oftentimes, families and clinicians are left wondering what's typical and what's considered concerning. In this episode, we focus on the evaluation and management of enuresis in children. Each case is influenced by a range of factors including fluid intake, bowel habits, sleep quality and lifestyle routines. While first-line, non-pharmacologic strategies are the cornerstone of care, effective treatment requires attention to detail and a comprehensive approach. This episode was recorded on the exhibit floor at the 2025 American Academy of Pediatrics Conference in Denver, Colorado. In this episode, we are joined by Julie Cheng, MD, an Assistant Professor of Urology at Seattle Children's Hospital and the University of Washington.  Some highlights from this episode include:  Differentiating between types of enuresis  How key elements in pediatric history and physical examination can help diagnose the problem  Evidence-based first-line interventions and when to escalate care  The role behavioral factors, such as sleep or screen time, play in enuresis  For more information on Children's Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org. 

While asthma may be the most common chronic disease in pediatrics, it never feels routine for medical professionals. In the primary care setting, pediatricians carry the challenge and opportunity of turning this common condition into a well-managed part of daily life. In this episode, we'll dig into tools, strategies and insights that help us move from reactive treatment to proactive partnerships. The goal is for kids to focus less on their breathing and more on being kids. For this episode, we are joined by two asthma experts, Monica Federico, MD, and Heather De Keyser, MD. Dr. Federico is the Medical Director of the Asthma Program, as well as Population Health, at Children's Hospital Colorado. She is a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Dr. De Keyser is the Co-Director of the Multidisciplinary Asthma Clinic and an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics. Some highlights from this episode include:  Understanding the best options for treatment  Deciphering between asthma and other respiratory diagnoses  The latest updates in asthma guidelines  The importance of collaborating with schools on a child's action plan  Some resources mentioned in today's episode include guidelines for the management and diagnosis of asthma, as well as information from the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). For more information on Children's Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org. 

Constipation is one of the most common conditions that pediatricians see. From the toddler squirming on the exam table to the school-aged child with recurring belly pain, functional constipation is everywhere in pediatric primary care. In this episode, we will discuss how to diagnose, when additional testing is needed and treatment strategies that work.    Joining us for this episode is Christine Waasdorp-Hurtado, MD. She is a pediatric gastroenterologist, the Southern Colorado Executive Faculty Director for the Department of Pediatrics, and a professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.  Some highlights from this episode include:  Identifying the signs of functional constipation  Steps primary care physicians can take with families before referral  How advice changes depending on the child's age  Why managing constipation improves more than just a kid's bowel movements  For more information on Children's Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org. 

Imagine your body as a complex orchestra. Every hormone playing its part in harmony. When one section falls out of sync, the entire performance shifts. That's what happens with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), especially in adolescents. During puberty, hormones are already in flux, and PCOS can add another layer of challenges.  Irregular periods, acne, excess hair growth, and weight gain are more than frustrating symptoms, they're signs of an underlying hormonal imbalance that deserves attention. For pediatricians, recognizing PCOS early can make all the difference in helping teens navigate both their physical health and emotional well-being.  In this episode, we sit down with Melanie Cree, MD, PhD, a pediatric endocrinologist at Children's Hospital Colorado, Director of the Multi-Disciplinary PCOS Clinic at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, and a professor.  Some highlights from this episode include:  Understanding why its name can be deceiving The role of the primary care provider in diagnosing and managing PCOS  Differences between abnormal and normal puberty changes  The impact of this lifelong disease  For more information on Children's Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org. 

Whether it's a bump, a blow, or a moment of confusion, concussions in kids don't always look dramatic, but the impact can be significant. When parents start to worry and question what injury lies beneath the surface, pediatricians are typically the first phone call or visit. With evolving guidelines and pressure to clear kids for school and sports, what is the right call? In this episode, we will break down what every clinician should know about concussions including how to spot them, how to manage them and how to guide families through recovery with confidence. To understand the current status of concussions, we are joined by Kristina Wilson, MD. Dr. Wilson is the Medical Director of the Sports Medicine Center at Children's Hospital Colorado and is an Associate professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Some highlights from this episode include:  Helpful tools PCPs can utilize to recognize a concussion  The importance of team involvement regardless of the injury  Properly managing family support  Interventions and when they should be utilized  For more information on Children's Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org. 

Every parent dreams of the perfect bedtime routine: a quick story, a goodnight kiss, and lights out until morning. But real life? Toddlers fight sleep with boundless energy, grade-schoolers push for one more story and teens stay up late scrolling TikTok. Sleep problems in children and teens are common, but pediatricians can play a key role in guiding families toward better rest.  In this episode, we explore how to help kids sleep better at every age. From gentle sleep training strategies for young children to managing insomnia and circadian rhythm shifts in teens, we'll break down practical, evidence-based approaches to pediatric sleep. Join us as we share the science and real-world tools that can help families build healthy sleep habits, for brighter mornings and better overall health.  We are joined by Stacey Simon, PhD. She is the Co-Director of Sleep Medicine at Children's Hospital Colorado and an Associate Professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Some highlights from this episode include:  Best sleep practices for different age groups  Addressing the most common sleep issues in children Evidence around sleep training and if it's successful  Can medications be a helpful tool for sleep?    For more information on Children's Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org.