Effects of restoring SDF-treated and untreated dentine caries lesions on parental satisfaction and oral health related quality of life of preschool children

Objectives: To find out the effects of placement of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) restorations on parental satisfaction and oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) of preschool children with SDF-treated or untreated dentine caries lesions. Methods: In a randomized controlled trial conducted in Hong Kong, preschool children who had cavitated dentine caries lesions were randomly assigned to receive application of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) solution or placebo (tonic water) on their caries lesions 10 weeks before receiving ART restorations. Parents were asked to rate their satisfaction with their child's teeth using a 5-point scale (5 = very satisfied, 1 = very dissatisfied) before and six months after the restorative treatment. Besides, the Chinese version of Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (C-ECOHIS) was used to assess the children's OHRQoL. Results: A total of 194 children participated in this study, with 101 and 93 children receiving SDF and placebo application before ART restorations, respectively. There was no significant difference in parental satisfaction and C-ECOHIS score between the SDF and placebo groups at baseline. At the 6-month follow-up, the mean parental satisfaction score regarding their child's dental health status increased significantly (p < 0.001) from 2.2 +/- 0.7 to 2.8 +/- 1.0 in the SDF group and from 2.3 +/- 0.8 to 2.7 +/- 0.9 in the placebo group. However, no significant changes (p > 0.05) in C-ECOHIS scores were found in either of the two groups after ART restoration placement. Conclusions: Placement of ART restorations can improve parental satisfaction with the health and appearance of their child's teeth but has no significant effect on the OHRQoL. Clinical significance: This study provides valuable information about the effects of ART restoration placement on SDF-treated or untreated dentine caries lesions regarding parental satisfaction and OHRQoL of preschool children.