Silver diamine fluoride, atraumatic restorations, and oral health-related quality of life: Results from the CariedAway cluster randomized trial

Objective: Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is a non-surgical treatment for the arrest and prevention of dental caries that results in irreversible black staining of dental decay. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of SDF treatment on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) relative to a standard package of glass ionomer sealants and atraumatic restorative treatment. Methods: CariedAway is a pragmatic, longitudinal, cluster-randomized non- inferiority trial of non-surgical interventions for caries. Secondary study outcomes included OHRQoL and academic performance. Oral health-related quality of life was measured at each study visit using the Child Oral Health Impact Profile. Change in OHRQoL was assessed using linear regression and non-inferiority was determined using t-tests. Results: Untreated decay at baseline was associated with signifcantly worse ORHQoL and treatment in both groups resulted in incremental improvement. Quality of life in children receiving silver diamine fluoride was non-inferior to those receiving sealants and ART at least six months post-treatment. Additionally, change in OHRQoL did not depend on the severity of baseline decay. Conclusions: ORHQoL is related to untreated dental caries, however no appreciable change was observed following SDF treatment relative to standard preventive therapies.