Outcomes of Restoring Untreated and SDF-treated Dentine Caries Lesions in Primary Teeth of Preschool Children

The primary objective of this proposed clinical study is to compare the success rates of ART restorations placed in untreated and SDF-treated dentine caries lesions in primary teeth. The secondary objective is to describe the change in parents' satisfaction with the aesthetics of their child's teeth and the change in oral health-related quality of life of preschool children before and after placement of ART restorations. The study population is preschool children attending kindergartens in different districts in Hong Kong. Children attending grades 1 or 2 in nine kindergartens were invited to receive a free dental examination and had their decayed primary teeth restored, if possible, in the kindergarten by dentists. Parental informed consent was obtained before the dental examination and treatment. Half of the children with decayed primary teeth needing restorations were assigned randomly to receive SDF treatment around 10 weeks before receiving the restoration. The restored teeth were re-examined every 6 months for 24 months to assess the treatment outcome. Parents of the study children were asked to complete a questionnaire at baseline, 6 months and 24 months so as to obtain data on their satisfaction with the aesthetics of their child's teeth and the oral health-related quality of life of the study children.