KARACHI: The Department of Community Dentistry at the Altamash Institute of Dental Medicine (AIDM), Karachi, recently conducted a comprehensive Hands-on Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) Workshop for second-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) students, reinforcing the importance of minimally invasive dentistry and community-based oral healthcare.
The practical training initiative was designed to strengthen students' clinical competencies while introducing them to one of the most effective restorative techniques used in public health dentistry, particularly in resource-limited settings.
The workshop reflects AIDM's continued emphasis on combining classroom knowledge with practical clinical experience to prepare future dentists for evidence-based patient care.
What is Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART)
Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) is a minimally invasive restorative dental technique developed to manage dental caries without relying on electrically powered dental equipment.
Instead of conventional drilling, decayed tooth tissue is removed using specially designed hand instruments before the cavity is restored with Glass Ionomer Cement (GIC), a fluoride-releasing restorative material that bonds chemically to tooth structure and helps reduce the risk of recurrent decay.
Because ART requires minimal equipment, it has become an internationally recognized approach for delivering restorative dental care in rural, remote and underserved communities where access to conventional dental facilities may be limited.
The technique is widely used in school dental programmes, mobile dental clinics, humanitarian missions and community outreach initiatives across the world.
Faculty demonstrates complete ART procedure
The workshop was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Amir Akhbar Shaikh, Head of the Department of Community Dentistry, and Dr. Naseer Ahmed, Assistant Professor, who guided students through the scientific principles and clinical application of the ART technique.
Practical sessions were facilitated by the department's demonstrators:
• Dr. Nikita Bodani
• Dr. Fatima Jafri
• Dr. Alkesh Kammal
Faculty members demonstrated every stage of the procedure, including:
• appropriate case selection;
• correct use of ART hand instruments;
• cavity preparation using minimally invasive techniques;
• manipulation and mixing of Glass Ionomer Cement (GIC); and
• proper placement and finishing of the restorative material.
The demonstrations allowed students to observe standardized clinical techniques before performing the procedure themselves.
Students gain valuable hands-on clinical experience
Following the faculty demonstrations, second-year BDS students carried out the ART procedure under close supervision, enabling instructors to provide real-time guidance and feedback throughout the practical sessions.
The supervised clinical exercises helped students translate theoretical concepts into practical skills while building confidence in delivering minimally invasive restorative treatment.
According to the organizers, the workshop was designed to ensure students develop competence in performing ART safely and effectively before progressing to more advanced clinical training.
Supporting community dentistry in Pakistan
Community dentistry plays an important role in improving access to oral healthcare, particularly among populations with limited access to conventional dental services.
By introducing undergraduate students to ART early in their clinical education, institutions such as AIDM aim to prepare future dentists to provide affordable, evidence-based restorative treatment in both hospital settings and community outreach programmes.
As preventive and minimally invasive dentistry continue to gain prominence globally, techniques like ART are increasingly recognized as valuable tools for reducing the burden of untreated dental caries while preserving healthy tooth structure.
The Department of Community Dentistry said the workshop successfully bridged theoretical instruction with practical clinical application, equipping future dentists with the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to deliver patient-centered restorative care in diverse clinical and community settings.
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