ABSTRACT
To assess the prevalence and severity of dental caries amongst Egyptian adolescents and the prevalence of carious lesions treatable through the atraumatic restorative treatment [ART] approach. Using a convenient sample procedure, two secondary schools with a dental clinic were selected [967 students, average age: 13.7 +/- 0.8 years, range: 12-15]. Dental caries was diagnosed using the ART caries criteria, and plaque and calculus were assessed using the Green and Vermillion criteria amongst students grades 1-3 in the dental clinic by 3 calibrated examiners. The effect of the independent variables gender, age, tooth surface, jaw side [left or right] and type of jaw [mandible/maxilla] on dependent caries experience variables and D2 and D3 variables were tested using ANOVA. The prevalence of dental caries including enamel lesion [D2MFT] amongst the 967 students was 51.4% and that of dental caries excluding enamel lesions [D3MFT] was 38.1%. The mean D2MFT and D3MFT scores were 1.5 and 0.8, respectively. The percentage of teeth filled and extracted was low. Female students had statistically significantly higher mean D3MFT/S and D2MFT/S scores than males [p < 0.0001]. The prevalence of cavitated carious lesions [D3] treatable through ART was 48% for score 2 and 28% for score 3. Most of the cavitated lesions were found untreated despite the presence of a dental clinic and a dentist on the school premises. The majority of cavitated lesions without pulp involvement could be treated using the preventive and restorative components of the ART approach
ABSTRACT
To assess the level of acceptance and discomfort experienced by secondary school students when undergoing an atraumatic restorative treatment [ART] restoration. Ninety secondary school students, aged 14 and 15 years, were included in the study. The ART restorations were prepared in 90 cavities and restored using an encapsulated high-viscosity glass ionomer. The depth of the cavities was judged from radiographs and clinically into outer, middle and inner third of dentine. Using a graded periodontal probe, cavity size was measured, into approximately half the width of the mesiodistal and buccolingual/palatal distance of the occlusal surface. The students were asked about the level of sensation experienced during cavity preparation immediately after completion of restoration. X2-Test was used to test the effect of cavity depth and size on sensitivity from the teeth. Of the 90 students, 6 [6.6%] and 26 [29.2%] experienced pain and discomfort, respectively, during cavity preparation, more often in large than in small cavities [p = 0.003] and in cavities extending into the inner third than in the middle and outer third of dentine [p < 0.0001]. Only 1 student reported postoperative sensitivity. The ART approach to treat dental cavities was well accepted by this group of secondary school students. Only a few reported pain during cavity instrumentation, and this was more prevalent in large cavities and in cavities with the floor close to the pulp