[Survival of single surface ART-restorations in Zimbabwe after 3 years]

A 3 year longitudinal study to assess the survival of single-surface ART restorations, was carried out among first year secondary school students in and around Harare, Zimbabwe, during the period 1993-1996 and 1994-1997. The treatments were provided by dentists and dental therapists. The evaluation was carried out by independent evaluators, one of which was an expert from the USA. Actuarial life-table analysis was applied for survival estimations. The survival of ART restorations after 3 years was 85.3% in 1993-1996 and 88.3% in 1994-1997. The 3-years survival percentage per operator ranged from 96.1% (1993-1996) and 94.3% (1994-1997) for one of the dentists to 69.3% (1993-1996) and 65.4% (1994-1997) for one of the junior dental therapists. In 1994-1997, reasons for failure were predominantly operator and material related. Secondary caries was observed in 0.5% of the ART restorations evaluated. The 3-years survival outcomes of single-surface ART restorations are promising. The study has demonstrated that ART with glass-ionomer restorative material provided quality restorative dental care to these student populations. ART has become one of the treatment modalities available to oral health workers in managing dental caries. There is a need for further research into the efficacy of the ART approach and into its application in various types of communities.