Effect of educational strategy combined with ART on oral health-related quality of life: a controlled clinical trial

Abstract This study aimed to assess whether complementing atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) with oral health educational strategies (OHES) improves the perception of oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and clinical oral outcomes. A controlled clinical trial included 93 six- to eight-year-old students from five public schools of Piracicaba, Saltinho, and Charqueada municipalities (State of São Paulo, Brazil) divided into 3 groups (31 children each) which received: OHES (caries-free), ART (dental caries), and ART plus OHES (dental caries). OHRQoL (CPQ8-10-ISF:16), dental caries, biofilm control, and gingivitis were assessed before and 1 month after interventions by one calibrated examiner. OHES consisted of an educational interactive activity performed once a week for four weeks. Data were analyzed using mixed model ANOVA, Chi-square, and Sign tests. After 1 month of follow-up, improvement in gingivitis status, OHRQoL total score, and Functional Limitations, Emotional Well-Being and Social Well-Being domains scores were found in all groups (p