[Post-academic dental specialties. 11. Discomfort during atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) versus conventional restorative treatment].
Although Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) claims to be a patient-friendly method of treatment, little scientific proof of this is available. The aim of this study, therefore, was to acquire a reliable measurement of the degree of discomfort which children experience during dental treatment performed according to the ART approach and during the conventional method. A number of 403 Indonesian schoolchildren were randomly divided into 2 groups. In each child, one class II restoration was carried out on a deciduous molar either by means of ART or the use of rotary instruments (750 rpm). Discomfort scores were determined both by physiological measurements (heart rate) and behavioral observations (Venham scale). Venham scores showed a marked difference between the 2 groups, whereas heart rate scores only differed significantly during deep excavation. A correlation was found between Venham scores and heart rate measurements. Sex, initial anxiety and performing dentist were shown to be confounding variables. In conclusion it can be said that children treated according to the ART approach experience less discomfort than those treated with rotary instruments.
van Gemert-Schriks
M C M
MC
Afdeling Cariologie, Endodontologie, Pedodontologie van het Academisch Centrum Tandheelkunde Amsterdam (ACTA). M.Schriks@acta.nl
D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control; D019140:Dental Care for Children / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D003737:Dental Cavity Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D003762:Dental Instruments; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004498:Education, Dental, Continuing; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007214:Indonesia; D008297:Male; D008963:Molar; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010377:Pediatric Dentistry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous