L.B. Camargo, C. Fell, G.C. Bonini, M. Marquezan, J.C.P. Imparato, F.M. Mendes, D.P. Raggio

2011 Volume 12
Issue 6 December

Paediatric dentistry education of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) in Brazilian dental schools

L.B. Camargo*, C. Fell**, G.C. Bonini**, M. Marquezan***, J.C.P. Imparato****, F.M. Mendes****, D.P. Raggio****

ABSTRACT

AIM: To evaluate the degree of knowledge, use and teaching of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) of paediatric dentistry lecturers in dental schools throughout Brazil. METHODS: A structured questionnaire was applied, containing questions regarding the use of ART, socio-demographic characteristics and academic degree background. Descriptive analysis and Poisson’s regression were conducted in order to verify the association between exploratory variables and ART teaching (α=5%). RESULTS: Of the 721 questionnaires sent to dental schools, approximately 40% were returned (n=285). Some 98.2% of the participants teach ART. STATISTICS: Concerning dental lecturers who teach ART, in multiple regression model, considering ART indication (emergency versus restorative treatment) the lecturers residents of the Mid-West (PR=1.66; CI:1.13-2.45) and Northeast region (PR=1.33; CI:1.02-1.72) and lecturers who use ART regularly (PR=3.73; CI:2.11-5.59) teach ART as restorative treatment. When the question was about reason for using ART (conservative technique versus other techniques failures/fast treatment), lecturers with a longer period of TG (time elapsed since graduation) (PR=1.30; CI:1.08- 1.56) and also lecturers who use ART regularly (PR=2.87; CI:1.95-4.22), teach it as being a conservative technique. Regarding the patients’ age covered by ART (versus without limitation), women (PR=1.26; CI:1.06-1.50) and lecturers who use ART regularly (PR=1.28; CI:1.06-1.54), teach that there is no age restriction. CONCLUSIONS: ART has been widely taught in Brazilian dental schools, is regularly used in lecturer’s clinical practices and has positively influenced the appropriate teaching of this technique.

Key words: Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART), Paediatric dentistry lecturers, Dental education.

Eur Archs Paediatr Dent 2011;12(6):303-307

*Faculdade de Odontologia Universidade Paulista, Campinas.
**Faculdade de Odontologia São Leopoldo Mandic, Campinas.
***Universidade Federal de Santa Maria.
****Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade de São Paulo; Brazil.

Postal address: D.P. Raggio, Av Lineu Prestes, 2227 - 05508-000 São Paulo SP, Brazil.
Email: danielar@usp.br