About

Alton G. McWhorter is a professor and the department head of Pediatric Dentistry at Texas A&M University. He holds a DDS from the University of Tennessee and a Master's of Science in Oral Biology from Baylor College of Dentistry. Originally from Jackson, Mississippi, Dr. McWhorter practiced general dentistry before specializing in pediatric dentistry, earning a Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry and a Master’s degree from Baylor College of Dentistry. He practiced full-time pediatric dentistry for two years prior to joining the faculty at Baylor in 1986. His professional focus includes behavior modification and the care of children with special healthcare needs. Dr. McWhorter has contributed to the academic community through peer-reviewed publications on various topics related to pediatric dentistry. He practices part-time in Duncanville and is actively involved in teaching, research, and clinical practice, emphasizing innovation in information delivery to students and behavior management in pediatric dental care.

Research topics

• Nursing
• Family medicine
• Medicine
• Dentistry
• Physical therapy

Selected publications

• Child Life Interventions for Pediatric Dental Patients: A Pilot Study.

  PubMed · 2020 · 3 citations

  Senior authorCorresponding
  • Medicine
  • Family medicine
  • Dentistry

  Child life interventions may be considered an adjunct to other behavior guidance techniques, but further investigations should be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of CLIs on behavior in the dental setting.

  Publisher

• Identifying Public Policy and Advocacy Practices Among Millennial Pediatric Dental Residents.

  PubMed · 2019-03-15 · 2 citations

  articleSenior author

  Pediatric dental residents who participated in the PPAC or a local clinically oriented experience, perceived these two types of activities to provide greater value in their advocacy education than that of a didactic lecture in this subject area. Study results can be used to guide program directors in developing millennial-specific, resident-driven advocacy education experiences to fulfill Commission on Dental Accreditation advocacy curricula requirements.

  Publisher

• Behavior symposium Workshop A report - current guidelines/revision.

  PubMed · 2015-01-09 · 11 citations

  article1st authorCorresponding

  A Workshop of attendees was convened following the completion of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) symposium, "Beyond the Guidelines: Factors Affecting Behavior Guidance." The title of Workshop A was Guidelines/Revisions and charges were to review whether the current AAPD Behavior Management Guidelines were adequate to guide delivery of dental care for children with specific attention to their effectiveness and safety, the protection of the pediatric patient and dentist, and the newly revised Protective Stabilization guideline, considering the presentations during the symposium. Major themes emerged as areas for consideration in future revisions of the guidelines: 1) toxic stress and the culture of poverty; 2) behavior risk assessment; 3) contemporary knowledge of pain theory; 4) deferred treatment; 5) parental presence in the operatory and 6) current use of protective stabilization. These issues were examined in the context of the current economic, social, and political environment. A summary of the topics and discussions that took place regarding the adequacy of the guidelines is presented.

  Publisher

• Isolite vs cotton roll isolation in the placement of dental sealants.

  PubMed · 2014-02-27 · 11 citations

  articleSenior author

  PURPOSE: The purpose of this split-mouth, randomized, controlled trial was to evaluate the retention rates of sealants placed under Isolite vs cotton roll isolation. METHODS: A convenience sample of 29 patients, with a mean age of 9.8 years and a total of 96 teeth, was included in this study. Matched contralateral pairs of first and second molars were randomized to receive sealants with Isolite or cotton roll isolation. All sealants were performed by one standardized operator. Sealants were placed on first and second permanent molars that had a matched contralateral molar requiring a sealant as well. Photographs were taken of the sealants on the day of placement, and at 6-month and 12-month recalls. Photographs were viewed, and retention of the sealants was evaluated and scored by three calibrated pediatric dentists. The scores were analyzed via Mann-Whitney U and chi-square tests. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the retention rates between sealants placed using Isolite isolation compared with cotton roll isolation. CONCLUSION: Isolite and cotton roll isolation both appear to be equally effective in creating a favorable environment for sealant placement by a single operator.

  Publisher

• Multi-surface composite vs stainless steel crown restorations after mineral trioxide aggregate pulpotomy: a randomized controlled trial.

  PubMed · 2013-05-28 · 62 citations

  article

  PURPOSE: Parents increasingly request esthetic restorations for their children's teeth. This split mouth, randomized controlled trial compared primary molars treated with white MTA pulpotomies and restored with either multi-surface composites (MSC) or stainless steel crowns (SSC). METHODS: Forty matched, contra-lateral pairs of molars received MTA pulpotomies and were randomly assigned to MSC or SSC restorations and evaluated clinically and radiographically at 6 and 12 months. Two calibrated, blinded examiners evaluated and scored radiographs. RESULTS: Thirty-seven matched pairs were evaluated at 6 months, and 31 were available at 12 months. All teeth in both groups were radiographically and clinically successful at 6 and 12 months. Dentin bridge formation was noted in 20% of the primary molars by 12 months. Although not significant, the composite group exhibited fewer intact clinical margins than the SSC group. The vast majority (94%) of teeth restored with composite displayed gray discoloration at follow-up exams, which did not appear to affect the quality of the restoration and is believed to be associated with the white MTA. CONCLUSIONS: The white MTA pulpotomies succeeded over 12 months regardless of the restoration; however, the teeth restored with composite were not as durable nor considered an esthetic alternative to the SSC.

  Publisher

• Pulpotomy versus pulpectomy for carious vital primary incisors: randomized controlled trial.

  PubMed · 2013-05-20 · 23 citations

  article

  PURPOSE: The purpose of this prospective, randomized, split-mouth investigation was to compare the success rates of formocresol pulpotomies (FC) and Vitapex(®) pulpectomies (RCT) in asymptomatic carious vital primary incisors. METHODS: Matched contralateral pairs of asymptomatic, carious, vital primary incisors were randomized to receive FC or RCT by 2 standardized operators and restored with stainless steel crowns. Seventy-four incisors were followed clinically and radiographically for up to 23 months. Two standardized examiners evaluated radiographic findings using separate pulpotomy and pulpectomy scales (modified Zurn/Seale). RESULTS: Incisors present at each interval (5-9, 10-14, and 15-23 months) showed no clinical failures. One FC incisor was lost early and counted as a failure. Though not significantly different, there were higher numbers of successful radiographic outcomes for FC than RCT at each observation interval. Cumulative final radiographic success was 89% (n=33) for FC and 73% (n=27) for RCT. (P=.11). CONCLUSIONS: Anecdotal claims that pulpotomies are unsuccessful in primary incisors are unfounded. There was no significant difference in success rates of pulpotomies and pulpectomies in the pulp treatment of asymptomatic vital primary incisors. Intracanal resorption of Vitapex(®) was seen in all pulpectomy teeth and did not affect pulpectomy outcome.

  Publisher

• Treatment planning for the pediatric patient.

  PubMed · 2010-12-01 · 5 citations

  article1st authorCorresponding

  Treatment planning for pediatric dental patients is a multifactorial, complex process that requires careful consideration of three distinct areas: the patient's caries risk status, the available treatment options and the child's behavior. Components of a caries risk assessment include: a review of the child's medical and dental history in combination with the findings of the clinical and radiographic examination. All decisions regarding appropriate treatment options for the patient are guided by the outcome of the caries risk assessment. The child's behavior is another overriding consideration as it determines how the treatment can be rendered. Information obtained through careful evaluation of each area results in a treatment plan specifically designed for each child's circumstance.

  Publisher

• Dental Education's Role in Improving Children's Oral Health and Access to Care

  Academic Pediatrics · 2009-11-01 · 14 citations

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Pharmacologic behavior management of pediatric dental patients diagnosed with attention deficit disorder/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

  PubMed · 2008-02-28 · 16 citations

  article

  PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to conduct a survey of Texas pediatric dentists to determine: (1) the percentage of patients they treat with attention deficit disorder (ADD)/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); (2) the behavior management techniques that are utilized to treat their patients who suffer from ADD/ADHD; and (3) the relative success rates of these techniques in their practices. METHODS: A 17-question, single-answer, multiple choice survey was mailed to 343 Texas pediatric dentists. The mailing list was obtained from American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and Texas Academy of Pediatric Dentistry member rosters. One mailing was sent, including a self-addressed stomped envelope, for returned responses. RESULTS: A 54% response rate (186 surveys) revealed that nitrous oxide was the most frequently used pharmacologic behavior management technique; however, demerol/promethazine/nitrous oxide was rated as effective most often for treating ADD/ADHD patients. CONCLUSIONS: Practitioners believe the incidence of attention deficit disorder/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is increasing, and they are familiar with the medications used to treat the conditions. Texas pediatric dentists are using a variety of sedation techniques and are interested in developing guidelines for sedation of these patients.

  Publisher

• Concentration of formocresol used by pediatric dentists in primary tooth pulpotomy.

  PubMed · 2002-08-02 · 39 citations

  article

  Diluted formocresol is the most widely recommended primary tooth pulpotomy medicament, but it is not commercially available. This investigation surveyed practicing pediatric dentists about the concentration of formocresol that they use to perform pulpotomies and, if they use diluted formocresol, where they obtain it. Eight-hundred-and-six surveys were sent to a randomly selected sample of practicing pediatric dentists, and 422 were returned for a 52% response rate. Eighty-four percent of the respondents use formocresol for their primary tooth pulpotomies. Of those, 69% use full strength, 27% use diluted and 4% don't know. Sources of diluted formocresol for those who use the diluted form include: 34% who buy it that way, 58% who dilute it themselves and 8% who have the pharmacy dilute it. The majority of pediatric dentists who use formocresol for primary tooth pulpotomies use a full strength formulation.

  Publisher

Frequent coauthors

• N. Sue Seale

  American Academy of Pediatrics

  8 shared

• Carolyn A. Kerins

  Texas A&M University

  4 shared

• Paul S. Casamassimo

  Nationwide Children's Hospital

  2 shared

• N S Seale

  2 shared

• Todd Lyman

  Baylor University

  2 shared

• Janice A. Townsend

  2 shared

• Candice Hutcheson

  Yahoo (United Kingdom)

  1 shared

• James A Coll

  NOAA Oceanic and Atmospheric Research

  1 shared

Awards & honors

• Selected for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Lea…