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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.
38 questions in 8 reviews · cluster CL0164
current versionsNo studies 1 · 2.6%Ungraded 33 · 86.8%Very low 2 · 5.3%Low 0 · 0%Moderate 2 · 5.3%High 0 · 0%
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Oral health education/promotion (oral hygiene advice plus diet and feeding practice advice) combined with clinical treatment for mother's dentition (basic restorative and preventive; 1 trial included CHX varnish application) vs Standard care dmfs index score · For interventions, pregnant women and mothers of infants in the first year of life; for outcomes, children up to 6… Interventions with pregnant women, new mothers and other primary caregivers for preventing early childhood… (2024) · Cochrane | dmfs was listed in the SoF table but not assessed (not reported for this comparison). | 0 studies | No studies |
Oral health education/promotion (oral hygiene advice plus diet and feeding practice advice) combined with clinical treatment for mother's dentition (basic restorative and preventive; 1 trial included CHX varnish application) vs Standard care dmft index score · For interventions, pregnant women and mothers of infants in the first year of life; for outcomes, children up to 6… · Children assessed at 18 months Interventions with pregnant women, new mothers and other primary caregivers for preventing early childhood… (2024) · Cochrane | The mean dmft index score was 0.52 (standard care) versus 0 (advice + treatment group); relative effect not estimable; 50 participants (1 study); very low-certainty evidence. | 1 study · 50 participants | Very low |
Comprehensive oral health intervention (oral health education plus additional support: motivational interviewing, toothbrush/toothpaste provision, community engagement, and/or fluoride varnish/sealant application) delivered by non-dental health workers vs Control (usual care, no intervention, or comparison group) Caries experience at the surface level (dmfs/defs) · Children (mean age newborn to ~5.2 years) and their parents/carers · Comprehensive intervention (vs oral health education only) The effectiveness of behaviour change interventions delivered by non-dental health workers in promoting… (2022) | SMD -0.14 [-0.26, -0.02] | 10 studies | Ungraded |
Comprehensive oral health intervention (oral health education plus additional support: motivational interviewing, toothbrush/toothpaste provision, community engagement, and/or fluoride varnish/sealant application) delivered by non-dental health workers vs Control (usual care, no intervention, or comparison group) Caries experience at the tooth level (dmft) · Children (mean age newborn to ~5.2 years) and their parents/carers · Comprehensive intervention (vs oral health education only) The effectiveness of behaviour change interventions delivered by non-dental health workers in promoting… (2022) | SMD -0.47 [-0.84, -0.10] | 4 studies | Ungraded |
Fluoride varnish applied biannually vs Fissure sealant (resin-based or glass ionomer) Increment of occlusal DMFS (decayed, missing, filled surfaces) of FPMs · Generally healthy children aged 6 to 9 years with at least one fully erupted first permanent molar with deep fissures… · 2 to 3 years Comparison between Fissure Sealant and Fluoride Varnish on Caries Prevention for First Permanent Molars: a… (2020) | MD 0.13 [-0.09, 0.34] | 3 studies · 1787 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride varnish applied biannually vs Fissure sealant (resin-based or glass ionomer) Increment of occlusal DMFS (decayed, missing, filled surfaces) of FPMs · Generally healthy children aged 6 to 9 years with at least one fully erupted first permanent molar with deep fissures… · 2 to 3 years, Sensitivity analysis excluding Bravo 1997 (high risk of bias) Comparison between Fissure Sealant and Fluoride Varnish on Caries Prevention for First Permanent Molars: a… (2020) | MD 0.04 [-0.15, 0.23] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Chlorhexidine varnish (10% and 40%) vs Placebo or no treatment Caries increment in permanent dentition (DMFS; higher values indicate greater caries) · Children and adolescents below 18 years at study start (included studies: children from birth to 15 years), with… · 30 to 36 months, permanent dentition Chlorhexidine treatment for the prevention of dental caries in children and adolescents (2015) · Cochrane | MD 0.53 [-0.47, 1.53] | 2 studies · 690 participants | Very low |
Chlorhexidine varnish (1%, 10% or 40%) vs Placebo or no treatment Caries increment in the primary teeth (d(m)fs/t) · Children and adolescents below 18 years at study start (included studies: children from birth to 15 years), with… · 24 months, primary dentition Chlorhexidine treatment for the prevention of dental caries in children and adolescents (2015) · Cochrane | Two trials with unit of analysis problem. Data imputations indicated no evidence to claim or refute a benefit | 2 studies · 471 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride varnish vs Placebo or no treatment Caries increment in primary/deciduous teeth: decayed, (extraction indicated/missing) and filled teeth d(e/m)ft (prevented fraction) · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or less · At least 1 year, Primary/deciduous dentition Fluoride varnishes for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents (2013) · Cochrane | PF 0.65 [0.48, 0.82] | 2 studies · 322 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride varnish vs Placebo or no treatment 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 varnishes for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents (2013) · Cochrane | PF 0.44 [0.11, 0.76] | 5 studies | Ungraded |
Fluoride varnish vs Placebo or no treatment 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 varnishes for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents (2013) · Cochrane | PF 0.43 [0.30, 0.57] | 13 studies · 6478 participants | Moderate |
Fluoride varnish vs Placebo or no treatment Caries increment in primary/deciduous teeth: decayed, (extraction indicated/missing) and filled surfaces d(e/m)fs (prevented fraction) · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or less · At least 1 year, Primary/deciduous dentition Fluoride varnishes for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents (2013) · Cochrane | PF 0.37 [0.24, 0.51] | 10 studies · 3804 participants | Moderate |
Fluoride varnish combined with fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride varnish alone Caries increment in deciduous teeth: d(e)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 0.19 | 1 study · 186 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride varnish 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 0.48 [0.12, 0.84] | 1 study · 71 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride varnish 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 0.14 [-0.12, 0.40] | 1 study · 254 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride mouthrinse, gel or varnish combined with fluoride toothpaste (any combined regimen) 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 0.10 [0.02, 0.17] | 9 studies · 4026 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride varnish 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 0.10 [-0.12, 0.32] | 4 studies · 952 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride varnish vs Fluoride toothpaste Caries increment (dfs), deciduous 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 -0.05 | 1 study · 183 participants | Ungraded |
Fluoride varnish combined with fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride toothpaste alone Caries increment in deciduous teeth: d(e)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 0.15 | 1 study · 173 participants | Ungraded |
Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment Caries increment on permanent tooth surfaces (D(M)FS), prevented fraction · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or younger (permanent dentition) · Nearest to 3 years, Placebo-controlled trials Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and… (2003) · Cochrane | PF 0.24 [0.22, 0.27] | 116 studies | Ungraded |
Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment Caries increment on primary (deciduous) tooth surfaces (d(e/m)fs), prevented fraction · Children with primary (deciduous) teeth (younger children) · Nearest to 3 years, Fluoride gel trials Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and… (2003) · Cochrane | PF 0.26 [-0.11, 0.63] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment Caries increment on permanent whole teeth (D(M)FT), prevented fraction · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or younger (permanent dentition) · Nearest to 3 years Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and… (2003) · Cochrane | PF 0.26 [0.21, 0.30] | 79 studies | Ungraded |
Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment Caries increment on permanent whole teeth (D(M)FT), prevented fraction · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or younger (permanent dentition) · Nearest to 3 years, Fluoride varnish trials Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and… (2003) · Cochrane | PF 0.53 [0.23, 0.82] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment Caries increment on permanent tooth surfaces (D(M)FS), prevented fraction · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or younger (permanent dentition) · Nearest to 3 years Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and… (2003) · Cochrane | PF 0.26 [0.23, 0.29] | 133 studies · 65169 participants | Ungraded |
Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment Caries increment on permanent tooth surfaces (D(M)FS), prevented fraction · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or younger (permanent dentition) · Nearest to 3 years, Fluoride mouthrinse trials Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and… (2003) · Cochrane | PF 0.26 [0.23, 0.30] | 34 studies | Ungraded |
Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment Caries increment on permanent tooth surfaces (D(M)FS), prevented fraction · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or younger (permanent dentition) · Nearest to 3 years, Fluoride gel trials Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and… (2003) · Cochrane | PF 0.28 [0.19, 0.37] | 22 studies | Ungraded |
Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment Caries increment on permanent whole teeth (D(M)FT), prevented fraction · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or younger (permanent dentition) · Nearest to 3 years, Fluoride gel trials Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and… (2003) · Cochrane | PF 0.32 [0.19, 0.46] | 10 studies | Ungraded |
Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment Caries increment on permanent tooth surfaces (D(M)FS), prevented fraction · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or younger (permanent dentition) · Nearest to 3 years, No-treatment-controlled trials Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and… (2003) · Cochrane | PF 0.40 [0.31, 0.49] | 17 studies | Ungraded |
Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment Caries increment on permanent tooth surfaces (D(M)FS), prevented fraction · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or younger (permanent dentition) · Nearest to 3 years, Fluoride toothpaste trials Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and… (2003) · Cochrane | PF 0.24 [0.21, 0.28] | 70 studies | Ungraded |
Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment Caries increment on permanent whole teeth (D(M)FT), prevented fraction · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or younger (permanent dentition) · Nearest to 3 years, No-treatment-controlled trials Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and… (2003) · Cochrane | PF 0.45 [0.32, 0.58] | 7 studies | Ungraded |
Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment Caries increment on permanent tooth surfaces (D(M)FS), prevented fraction · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or younger (permanent dentition) · Nearest to 3 years, Fluoride varnish trials Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and… (2003) · Cochrane | PF 0.46 [0.30, 0.63] | 7 studies | Ungraded |
Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment Caries increment on primary (deciduous) tooth surfaces (d(e/m)fs), prevented fraction · Children with primary (deciduous) teeth (younger children) · Nearest to 3 years, No-treatment-controlled trials Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and… (2003) · Cochrane | PF 0.41 [0.26, 0.55] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment Caries increment on permanent whole teeth (D(M)FT), prevented fraction · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or younger (permanent dentition) · Nearest to 3 years, Fluoride mouthrinse trials Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and… (2003) · Cochrane | PF 0.24 [0.18, 0.30] | 13 studies | Ungraded |
Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment Caries increment on permanent whole teeth (D(M)FT), prevented fraction · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or younger (permanent dentition) · Nearest to 3 years, Placebo-controlled trials Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and… (2003) · Cochrane | PF 0.24 [0.20, 0.28] | 72 studies | Ungraded |
Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment Caries increment on primary (deciduous) tooth surfaces (d(e/m)fs), prevented fraction · Children with primary (deciduous) teeth (younger children) · Nearest to 3 years, Placebo-controlled trials Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and… (2003) · Cochrane | PF 0.27 [0.08, 0.48] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment Caries increment on permanent whole teeth (D(M)FT), prevented fraction · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or younger (permanent dentition) · Nearest to 3 years, Fluoride toothpaste trials Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and… (2003) · Cochrane | PF 0.23 [0.19, 0.28] | 53 studies | Ungraded |
Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment Caries increment on primary (deciduous) tooth surfaces (d(e/m)fs), prevented fraction · Children with primary (deciduous) teeth (younger children) · Nearest to 3 years Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and… (2003) · Cochrane | PF 0.33 [0.22, 0.44] | 5 studies | Ungraded |
Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment Caries increment on primary (deciduous) tooth surfaces (d(e/m)fs), prevented fraction · Children with primary (deciduous) teeth (younger children) · Nearest to 3 years, Fluoride varnish trials Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and… (2003) · Cochrane | PF 0.33 [0.19, 0.48] | 3 studies | Ungraded |