The operator as a factor of success in ART restorations

Aim: To evaluate the operator as a factor of success in atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) restorations.
Methods: This was a clinical intervention study. The sample consisted of 271 glass-ionomer cement (Ketac Molar, 3M ESPE) restorations placed in 246 children aged 5 to 9 years attending public schools in Recife, Brazil. The operators were two senior undergraduate dental students and one dentist, classified as 'inexperienced' and `experienced', respectively. Two groups of children were formed: one treated by the undergraduate students and the other treated by the dentist. The evaluation of the restorations took place at 1, 4 and 12 months by three senior undergraduate dental students.
Results:Comparing the operators, a significant difference was found in class II cavities filled by students, who had a lower rate of success. There were no differences between the dentist and undergraduate dental students for class I cavities.
Conclusions: The operator's experience makes a difference in the success rate of more complex ART restorations when an experienced operator receives the same training as an inexperienced operator.

Keywords
dental atraumatic restorative treatment, permanent dental restoration, longevity, primary dentition, operators