Gap finder
Search review questions
Each row is one question a systematic review asked: who, what, compared with what, and which outcome, with the effect it found and how certain that is. Words match anywhere in the field.
78 questions in 8 reviews · intervention: Fluoride toothpaste/dentifrice · outcome domain: Caries increment (DMFS/DMFT)
current versionsNo studies 0 · 0%Ungraded 25 · 32.1%Very low 3 · 3.8%Low 37 · 47.4%Moderate 9 · 11.5%High 4 · 5.1%
Ungraded means an effect was reported without a GRADE rating; it is not a gap. No studies means the review found nothing to answer the question. The six categories are a display order, not a score.
Intervention categories, outcome domains and clusters are a proposed key pending human validation. Clear all filters
| Question | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
1700 to 2200 ppm F toothpaste vs 1000 to 1250 ppm F toothpaste Caries increment, surface index D(M)FS · Children and adolescents with immature permanent dentition (aged 5 to 16 years at study start) · Closest to 36 months Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries (2019) · Cochrane | SMD -0.03 [-0.12, 0.06] | 5 studies | Low |
1700 to 2200 ppm F toothpaste vs 440 to 550 ppm F toothpaste Caries increment, tooth index D(M)FT · Children and adolescents with immature permanent dentition (aged 5 to 16 years at study start) · Closest to 36 months Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries (2019) · Cochrane | SMD -0.15 [-0.46, 0.16] | NR | Low |
1450 ppm F toothpaste vs 440 ppm F toothpaste Caries increment, tooth index d(m)ft · Young children with primary (deciduous) dentition (aged 1 to 6 years at study start) · Follow-up: 60 months Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries (2019) · Cochrane | MD -0.34 [-0.59, -0.09] | 1 study · 2362 participants | Moderate |
1700 to 2200 ppm F toothpaste vs 440 to 550 ppm F toothpaste Caries increment, surface index D(M)FS · Children and adolescents with immature permanent dentition (aged 5 to 16 years at study start) · Closest to 36 months Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries (2019) · Cochrane | SMD -0.2 [-0.41, 0.01] | NR | Low |
Oral-health promotion programs (OHPPs): community-based oral-health education/training, supervised toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste and topical fluoride, dental screening, and dietary advice vs No oral-health promotion program, or a differing (usual-care) action under similar conditions Cost-effectiveness: probability of lower program cost per DMFT/S (incremental cost) · Children aged 6 years and older (healthy except for dental caries) · Age >= 6 years Clinical Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Oral-Health Promotion in Dental Caries Prevention among… (2019) | OR 0.00 [0.00, 48704.6] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
2400 to 2800 ppm F toothpaste vs Non-fluoride (0 ppm F) placebo toothpaste Caries increment, surface index D(M)FS · Children and adolescents with immature permanent dentition (aged 5 to 16 years at study start) · Closest to 36 months Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries (2019) · Cochrane | SMD -0.41 [-0.49, -0.33] | 3 studies | Low |
Oral-health promotion programs (OHPPs): community-based oral-health education/training, supervised toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste and topical fluoride, dental screening, and dietary advice vs No oral-health promotion program, or a differing (usual-care) action under similar conditions DMFT/DMFS index (dental caries experience) · Children aged 6 years and older (healthy except for dental caries) · Age >= 6 years Clinical Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Oral-Health Promotion in Dental Caries Prevention among… (2019) | OR 0.29 [0.08, 1.01] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
1000 to 1250 ppm F toothpaste vs Non-fluoride (0 ppm F) placebo toothpaste Caries increment, surface index D(M)FS · Children and adolescents with immature permanent dentition (aged 5 to 16 years at study start) · Closest to 36 months Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries (2019) · Cochrane | SMD -0.28 [-0.32, -0.25] | 55 studies | High |
2400 to 2800 ppm F toothpaste vs 1450 to 1500 ppm F toothpaste Caries increment, surface index D(M)FS · Children and adolescents with immature permanent dentition (aged 5 to 16 years at study start) · Closest to 36 months Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries (2019) · Cochrane | SMD -0.05 [-0.14, 0.05] | 2 studies | Moderate |
250 ppm F toothpaste vs Non-fluoride (0 ppm F) placebo toothpaste Caries increment, tooth index D(M)FT · Children and adolescents with immature permanent dentition (aged 5 to 16 years at study start) · Closest to 36 months Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries (2019) · Cochrane | SMD -0.11 [-0.27, 0.05] | 1 study | Low |
Oral-health promotion programs (OHPPs): community-based oral-health education/training, supervised toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste and topical fluoride, dental screening, and dietary advice vs No oral-health promotion program, or a differing (usual-care) action under similar conditions Incremental cost-effectiveness per DMFT/S · Children aged 0-12 years (healthy except for dental caries) Clinical Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Oral-Health Promotion in Dental Caries Prevention among… (2019) | OR 0.03 [0.01, 0.11] | 8 studies | Ungraded |
440 to 550 ppm F toothpaste vs 250 ppm F toothpaste Caries increment, surface index D(M)FS · Children and adolescents with immature permanent dentition (aged 5 to 16 years at study start) · Closest to 36 months Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries (2019) · Cochrane | SMD 0.03 [-0.17, 0.23] | 1 study | Low |
Oral-health promotion programs (OHPPs): community-based oral-health education/training, supervised toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste and topical fluoride, dental screening, and dietary advice vs No oral-health promotion program, or a differing (usual-care) action under similar conditions DMFT/DMFS index (dental caries experience) · Children younger than 6 years (healthy except for dental caries) · Age < 6 years Clinical Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Oral-Health Promotion in Dental Caries Prevention among… (2019) | OR 0.14 [0.05, 0.39] | 6 studies | Ungraded |
Fluoride in dentifrice vs Placebo Caries increment in permanent teeth (DMFS change from baseline) · Children or adolescents · At least 1 year or school year, Network meta-regression covariate: randomization year Graphs of study contributions and covariate distributions for network meta-regression. (2018) | no estimate extracted | NR | Ungraded |
Fluoride in dentifrice vs No treatment Caries increment in permanent teeth (DMFS change from baseline) · Children or adolescents · At least 1 year or school year, Network meta-regression covariate: randomization year Graphs of study contributions and covariate distributions for network meta-regression. (2018) | no estimate extracted | NR | Ungraded |
Fluoride in dentifrice vs Placebo Caries increment in permanent teeth · Children or adolescents · At least 1 year or school year, Randomisation year, NMR covariate Graphs of study contributions and covariate distributions for network meta-regression. (2018) | no estimate extracted | NR | Ungraded |
Fluoride in dentifrice vs No treatment Caries increment in permanent teeth · Children or adolescents · At least 1 year or school year, Randomisation year, NMR covariate Graphs of study contributions and covariate distributions for network meta-regression. (2018) | no estimate extracted | NR | Ungraded |
Fluoride toothpaste containing 10% xylitol vs Fluoride toothpaste (fluoride-only, no xylitol) Caries increment (DFS), prevented fraction at 2.5 to 3 years · Children with permanent teeth (schoolchildren) · 2.5 to 3 years Xylitol‐containing products for preventing dental caries in children and adults (2015) · Cochrane | PF 0.13 [0.08, 0.18] | 2 studies · 4216 participants | Low |
Triclosan/copolymer-containing fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride toothpaste without triclosan Coronal caries increment at 30 to 36 months (decayed filled teeth, DFT) · Children and adults (aged 16 years or less = children, over 16 = adults) without periodontitis at baseline; in… · 30 to 36 months Triclosan/copolymer containing toothpastes for oral health (2013) · Cochrane | MD -0.06 [-0.14, 0.02] | 3 studies · 6300 participants | High |
Triclosan/copolymer-containing fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride toothpaste without triclosan Coronal caries increment at 24 to 36 months (decayed filled surfaces, DFS) · Children and adults (aged 16 years or less = children, over 16 = adults) without periodontitis at baseline; in… · 24 to 36 months Triclosan/copolymer containing toothpastes for oral health (2013) · Cochrane | MD -0.16 [-0.31, -0.02] | 4 studies · 9692 participants | High |
Fluoride mouthrinse combined with fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride mouthrinse alone Caries increment in permanent teeth: D(M)FS (prevented fraction) · Children or adolescents aged 16 years or less · Nearest to 3 years Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride… (2004) · Cochrane | PF 0.05 [-0.05, 0.15] | 4 studies · 1678 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride gel Caries increment (D(M)FS), permanent teeth · Children or adolescents aged 16 or less at the start of the study · 1 to 3 years (final follow-up) One topical fluoride (toothpastes, or mouthrinses, or gels, or varnishes) versus another for preventing… (2004) · Cochrane | PF 0.00 [-0.21, 0.21] | 3 studies · 1256 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride mouthrinse Caries increment (D(M)FS), permanent teeth · Children or adolescents aged 16 or less at the start of the study · 1 to 3 years (final follow-up) One topical fluoride (toothpastes, or mouthrinses, or gels, or varnishes) versus another for preventing… (2004) · Cochrane | PF 0.00 [-0.18, 0.19] | 6 studies · 2545 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride mouthrinse combined with fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride toothpaste alone Caries increment in permanent teeth: D(M)FS (prevented fraction) · Children or adolescents aged 16 years or less · Nearest to 3 years Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride… (2004) · Cochrane | PF 0.07 [0.00, 0.13] | 5 studies · 2738 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride toothpaste vs Any other topical fluoride (gel or mouthrinse) Caries increment (D(M)FS), permanent teeth · Children or adolescents aged 16 or less at the start of the study · 1 to 3 years (final follow-up) One topical fluoride (toothpastes, or mouthrinses, or gels, or varnishes) versus another for preventing… (2004) · Cochrane | PF 0.01 [-0.13, 0.14] | 9 studies · 3801 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride toothpaste vs Placebo (non-fluoride) toothpaste Caries increment in permanent teeth: decayed, (missing) and filled tooth surfaces D(M)FS (prevented fraction) · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or less · At least 1 year Fluoride toothpastes for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents (2003) · Cochrane | PF 0.24 [0.21, 0.28] | 70 studies · 42300 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride toothpaste vs Placebo (non-fluoride) toothpaste Caries increment in deciduous teeth: df-rate, new decayed or filled teeth per 100 primary teeth (prevented fraction) · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or less · At least 1 year, Deciduous dentition Fluoride toothpastes for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents (2003) · Cochrane | PF 0.37 | 1 study · 2008 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride toothpaste vs Placebo (non-fluoride) toothpaste Caries increment in permanent teeth: decayed, (missing) and filled teeth D(M)FT (prevented fraction) · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or less · At least 1 year Fluoride toothpastes for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents (2003) · Cochrane | PF 0.23 [0.18, 0.28] | 53 studies · 32371 participants | Ungraded |