Cost-Effectiveness of Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) in Resource-Limited Settings: An African Perspective

Abstract

The burden of dental caries in Africa presents a significant public health challenge, particularly in resource-limited settings where access to conventional dental care remains severely constrained. Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) has emerged as a promising alternative approach that addresses both the clinical and economic barriers to oral healthcare delivery in these contexts. This paper examines the cost-effectiveness of ART implementation across various African settings, analyzing its economic viability, clinical outcomes, and broader implications for public health policy. Through a comprehensive review of empirical evidence from multiple African countries, this study demonstrates that ART represents a financially sustainable and clinically effective intervention for managing dental caries in underserved populations. The analysis reveals that ART costs substantially less than conventional restorative treatments while maintaining comparable survival rates for single-surface restorations. Furthermore, the technique's minimal equipment requirements, reduced need for specialized infrastructure, and compatibility with task-shifting approaches make it particularly suitable for integration into primary healthcare systems across the African continent. The findings suggest that widespread adoption of ART could significantly improve oral health outcomes while optimizing the allocation of limited healthcare resources in resource-constrained environments.