One year evaluation of restorations: community outreach program, Nadroga, Fiji

Objectives: To assess the retention rate for restorations placed by fourth year dental students during the community outreach program after a one year period. Secondly, to determine the reasons for failure as reported by the participants. Method: This study was a follow up on the retention of 129 restorations placed on 58 individuals in Nadroga, Fiji. The assessment criteria consisted of recording anatomical form, marginal adaptation and visual indicators of caries activity on treated tooth of the participants as per criteria used by Berke (2005). A structured interview was carried out to determine reasons for restoration failure. Results: Majority of the restorations placed (78 %) were retained however 22% of the restorations failed (totally lost, broken down, discoloured or stained margin). The restorations which were retained consisted of, 38% GICs, 33% composites and 29% amalgam restorations. Composites (45%) made up a significant portion of the failed restorations. A high proportion of the participants were unsure on how they had lost their restoration(s), other reasons identified by participants included opting for an extraction due to pain and loss due to occlusal problems. Conclusion: The one year retention rates of restorations placed during the outreach program was high (78%). Majority of the subjects were unsure of how the restorations were lost, however, pain, occlusal problems and trauma were commonly stated reasons by the participants.