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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.
149 questions in 21 reviews · cluster CL0221
current versionsNo studies 35 · 23.5%Ungraded 68 · 45.6%Very low 19 · 12.8%Low 25 · 16.8%Moderate 2 · 1.3%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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Cognitive behavioural (group psychotherapy) therapy vs Placebo pill Improvement in burning mouth symptoms · Adults over 18 years of age with chronic orofacial pain (burning mouth syndrome) · Not specified Psychosocial interventions for the management of chronic orofacial pain (2011) · Cochrane | RR 1.77 [0.98, 3.21] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Flossing plus toothbrushing (self-performed; manual or automated floss) vs Toothbrushing alone (with or without a negative-control/placebo rinse) Interproximal caries · Dentate adults aged 16 years or older (excluding orthodontic patients and those with severe periodontal disease) Flossing for the management of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2011) · Cochrane | Not estimable (0 studies). See comment: No included study assessed caries as an outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Flossing plus toothbrushing (self-performed; manual or automated floss) vs Toothbrushing alone (with or without a negative-control/placebo rinse) Plaque (0-5 scale; SMD) · Dentate adults aged 16 years or older (excluding orthodontic patients and those with severe periodontal disease) · 6 months Flossing for the management of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2011) · Cochrane | SMD -0.06 [-0.23, 0.12] | 3 studies · 487 participants | Ungraded |
Flossing plus toothbrushing (self-performed; manual or automated floss) vs Toothbrushing alone (with or without a negative-control/placebo rinse) Clinical attachment loss · Dentate adults aged 16 years or older (excluding orthodontic patients and those with severe periodontal disease) Flossing for the management of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2011) · Cochrane | Not estimable (0 studies). SoF comment reads (verbatim) 'No included study assessed calculus as an outcome' (apparent copy-paste typo in the clinical attachment loss row; no study assessed clinical attachment loss). | 0 studies | No studies |
Psychosocial interventions (cognitive behavioural therapy, biofeedback, combination CBT/biofeedback, physical self-regulation/posture self-control) vs Usual care (conservative treatment: education, counselling, intraoral flat plane appliance) Pain intensity (long term) · Adults over 18 years of age with chronic orofacial pain (temporomandibular disorder (TMD)) · Long term (more than 3 months) Psychosocial interventions for the management of chronic orofacial pain (2011) · Cochrane | SMD -0.34 [-0.50, -0.18] | 7 studies · 658 participants | Ungraded |
Psychosocial interventions (cognitive behavioural therapy, biofeedback, combination CBT/biofeedback, physical self-regulation/posture self-control) vs Usual care (conservative treatment: education, counselling, intraoral flat plane appliance) Muscle palpation pain (long term) · Adults over 18 years of age with chronic orofacial pain (temporomandibular disorder (TMD)) · Long term (more than 3 months) Psychosocial interventions for the management of chronic orofacial pain (2011) · Cochrane | Muscle palpation pain long term (greater than 3 months): 3 studies; results not pooled owing to substantial heterogeneity (I2=64%); insufficient evidence to draw conclusions for any individual intervention. One study… | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Flossing plus toothbrushing (self-performed; manual or automated floss) vs Toothbrushing alone (with or without a negative-control/placebo rinse) Bad breath (halitosis) · Dentate adults aged 16 years or older (excluding orthodontic patients and those with severe periodontal disease) Flossing for the management of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2011) · Cochrane | Not reported. No included study measured halitosis; the review notes it may be important to measure in future trials. | 0 studies | No studies |
Psychosocial interventions (cognitive behavioural therapy, biofeedback, combination CBT/biofeedback, physical self-regulation/posture self-control) vs Usual care (conservative treatment: education, counselling, intraoral flat plane appliance) Depression (long term) · Adults over 18 years of age with chronic orofacial pain (temporomandibular disorder (TMD)) · Long term (more than 3 months) Psychosocial interventions for the management of chronic orofacial pain (2011) · Cochrane | SMD -0.35 [-0.54, -0.16] | 6 studies · 455 participants | Ungraded |
Flossing plus toothbrushing (self-performed; manual or automated floss) vs Toothbrushing alone (with or without a negative-control/placebo rinse) Calculus · Dentate adults aged 16 years or older (excluding orthodontic patients and those with severe periodontal disease) Flossing for the management of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2011) · Cochrane | Not estimable (0 studies). See comment: No included study assessed calculus as an outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Flossing plus toothbrushing (self-performed; manual or automated floss) vs Toothbrushing alone (with or without a negative-control/placebo rinse) Plaque (0-5 scale; SMD) · Dentate adults aged 16 years or older (excluding orthodontic patients and those with severe periodontal disease) · 3 months Flossing for the management of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2011) · Cochrane | SMD -0.20 [-0.36, -0.04] | 5 studies · 594 participants | Ungraded |
Cognitive (behavioural) therapy vs Attention placebo Burning mouth pain intensity (6-month follow-up) · Adults over 18 years of age with chronic orofacial pain (burning mouth syndrome) · Long term (6-month follow-up) Psychosocial interventions for the management of chronic orofacial pain (2011) · Cochrane | SMD -2.79 [-3.83, -1.75] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Cognitive (behavioural) therapy vs Attention placebo Burning mouth pain intensity (post-treatment) · Adults over 18 years of age with chronic orofacial pain (burning mouth syndrome) · Short term (post-treatment) Psychosocial interventions for the management of chronic orofacial pain (2011) · Cochrane | SMD -2.40 [-3.40, -1.40] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Psychosocial interventions (cognitive behavioural therapy, biofeedback, combination CBT/biofeedback, physical self-regulation/posture self-control) vs Usual care (conservative treatment: education, counselling, intraoral flat plane appliance) Pain intensity (short term) · Adults over 18 years of age with chronic orofacial pain (temporomandibular disorder (TMD)) · Short term (3 months or less), Combination CBT/biofeedback Psychosocial interventions for the management of chronic orofacial pain (2011) · Cochrane | SMD 0.46 [0.02, 0.90] | 2 studies · 90 participants | Ungraded |
Psychosocial interventions (cognitive behavioural therapy, biofeedback, combination CBT/biofeedback, physical self-regulation/posture self-control) vs Usual care (conservative treatment: education, counselling, intraoral flat plane appliance) Pain severity - impact: activity interference / disability (long term) · Adults over 18 years of age with chronic orofacial pain (temporomandibular disorder (TMD)) · Long term (more than 3 months), CBT alone Psychosocial interventions for the management of chronic orofacial pain (2011) · Cochrane | SMD -0.27 [-0.51, -0.03] | 4 studies · 285 participants | Ungraded |
Sonic toothbrushing vs Manual toothbrushing Patient satisfaction (liked toothbrush) · Adults with dental implants and peri-implant mucositis at baseline · 6 months Interventions for replacing missing teeth: maintaining and recovering soft tissue health around dental… (2010) · Cochrane | RR 1.48 [1.03, 2.13] | 1 study · 31 participants | Ungraded |
Hyaluronic acid gel (brushing) vs Chlorhexidine gel (brushing) Plaque · Adults with dental implants and healthy peri-implant soft tissues at baseline · 6 months Interventions for replacing missing teeth: maintaining and recovering soft tissue health around dental… (2010) · Cochrane | MD -0.47 [-1.08, 0.14] | 1 study · 30 participants | Ungraded |
Powered toothbrushing vs Manual toothbrushing Change in probing pocket depth · Adults with dental implants and healthy peri-implant soft tissues at baseline · 6 weeks Interventions for replacing missing teeth: maintaining and recovering soft tissue health around dental… (2010) · Cochrane | At 6 weeks there was no significant difference in change of probing pocket depths | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Sonic toothbrushing vs Manual toothbrushing Ease of maintenance · Adults with dental implants and peri-implant mucositis at baseline · 6 months Interventions for replacing missing teeth: maintaining and recovering soft tissue health around dental… (2010) · Cochrane | RR 0.94 [0.79, 1.12] | 1 study · 31 participants | Ungraded |
Sonic toothbrushing vs Manual toothbrushing Change in probing pocket depth · Adults with dental implants and peri-implant mucositis at baseline · 6 months Interventions for replacing missing teeth: maintaining and recovering soft tissue health around dental… (2010) · Cochrane | MD 0.08 [-0.64, 0.80] | 1 study · 31 participants | Ungraded |
Powered toothbrushing vs Manual toothbrushing Plaque · Adults with dental implants and healthy peri-implant soft tissues at baseline · 6 weeks Interventions for replacing missing teeth: maintaining and recovering soft tissue health around dental… (2010) · Cochrane | MD 0.10 [-0.66, 0.86] | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Sonic toothbrushing vs Manual toothbrushing Plaque · Adults with dental implants and peri-implant mucositis at baseline · 6 months Interventions for replacing missing teeth: maintaining and recovering soft tissue health around dental… (2010) · Cochrane | MD -0.14 [-0.47, 0.19] | 1 study · 31 participants | Ungraded |
Cognitive behavioural therapy vs Control (treatment as usual) Daily mean opiate intake per hour · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | MD -0.20 [-4.29, 3.89] | 1 study · 21 participants | Ungraded |
Cognitive behavioural therapy vs Control (treatment as usual) Average pain scores (0-100 VAS) · People with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy (or both) who have oral mucositis Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | MD -7.29 [-17.40, 2.83] | 2 studies · 68 participants | Ungraded |
Hyaluronic acid gel (brushing) vs Chlorhexidine gel (brushing) Change in probing pocket depth · Adults with dental implants and healthy peri-implant soft tissues at baseline · 6 months Interventions for replacing missing teeth: maintaining and recovering soft tissue health around dental… (2010) · Cochrane | MD 0.00 [-0.65, 0.65] | 1 study · 30 participants | Ungraded |
Brushing vs No treatment Total anaerobes (colony forming units, log-transformed) · Maxillary complete denture (CD) wearers Interventions for cleaning dentures in adults (2009) · Cochrane | MD -1.06 [-1.39, -0.73] | 1 study · 18 participants | Ungraded |
Brushing vs No treatment Fusobacteria (colony forming units, log-transformed) · Maxillary complete denture (CD) wearers Interventions for cleaning dentures in adults (2009) · Cochrane | MD -0.89 [-1.55, -0.23] | 1 study · 18 participants | Ungraded |
Brushing vs Effervescent tablets Fusobacteria (colony forming units, log-transformed) · Maxillary complete denture (CD) wearers Interventions for cleaning dentures in adults (2009) · Cochrane | MD 3.62 [2.98, 4.26] | 1 study · 18 participants | Ungraded |
Association of brushing and effervescent tablets vs No treatment Total anaerobes (colony forming units, log-transformed) · Maxillary complete denture (CD) wearers Interventions for cleaning dentures in adults (2009) · Cochrane | MD -6.70 [-7.45, -5.95] | 1 study · 18 participants | Ungraded |
Brushing vs Effervescent tablets Visual plaque score · American complete denture (CD) wearers · 12 weeks Interventions for cleaning dentures in adults (2009) · Cochrane | Tarbet 1984 compared brushing with two types of effervescent tablets. No standard deviations were reported and therefore no data were entered for this outcome. Brushing was associated with significantly lower plaque… | 1 study · 75 participants | Ungraded |
Association of brushing and effervescent tablets vs No treatment Fusobacteria (colony forming units, log-transformed) · Maxillary complete denture (CD) wearers Interventions for cleaning dentures in adults (2009) · Cochrane | MD -3.75 [-4.16, -3.34] | 1 study · 18 participants | Ungraded |
Brushing vs Effervescent tablets Total anaerobes (colony forming units, log-transformed) · Maxillary complete denture (CD) wearers Interventions for cleaning dentures in adults (2009) · Cochrane | MD 4.44 [3.36, 5.52] | 1 study · 18 participants | Ungraded |
Brushing vs Association of brushing and effervescent tablets Fusobacteria (colony forming units, log-transformed) · Maxillary complete denture (CD) wearers Interventions for cleaning dentures in adults (2009) · Cochrane | MD 2.86 [2.25, 3.47] | 1 study · 18 participants | Ungraded |
Brushing vs Association of brushing and effervescent tablets Total anaerobes (colony forming units, log-transformed) · Maxillary complete denture (CD) wearers Interventions for cleaning dentures in adults (2009) · Cochrane | MD 5.64 [4.86, 6.42] | 1 study · 18 participants | Ungraded |
Psychological intervention based on a specified psychological model/theory (to increase adherence to oral hygiene instructions) vs No (active) intervention (usual/standard dental care or no-treatment control) Observed flossing skill · Adults (aged 18 or over) diagnosed with periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) · 4 months Psychological interventions to improve adherence to oral hygiene instructions in adults with periodontal… (2007) · Cochrane | Little 1997 observed and rated participants on flossing skill; Analysis of Covariance found a significant difference favouring the intervention group. | 1 study · 107 participants | Ungraded |
Psychological intervention based on a specified psychological model/theory (to increase adherence to oral hygiene instructions) vs No (active) intervention (usual/standard dental care or no-treatment control) Plaque score · Adults (aged 18 or over) diagnosed with periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) Psychological interventions to improve adherence to oral hygiene instructions in adults with periodontal… (2007) · Cochrane | The impact of psychological interventions on clinical markers was assessed in three studies (Little 1997; Stewart 1991; Weinstein 1996). All three found that psychological interventions resulted in improved plaque… | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Psychological intervention based on a specified psychological model/theory (to increase adherence to oral hygiene instructions) vs No (active) intervention (usual/standard dental care or no-treatment control) Self-efficacy beliefs (flossing) · Adults (aged 18 or over) diagnosed with periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) Psychological interventions to improve adherence to oral hygiene instructions in adults with periodontal… (2007) · Cochrane | Stewart 1996: the psychological intervention group demonstrated significantly higher change in self efficacy scores for flossing at post-intervention compared to the other two groups (control and educational). Flossing… | 1 study · 117 participants | Ungraded |
Psychological intervention based on a specified psychological model/theory (to increase adherence to oral hygiene instructions) vs Attention control (attention/contact without an active psychological intervention) Plaque score · Adults (aged 18 or over) diagnosed with periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) Psychological interventions to improve adherence to oral hygiene instructions in adults with periodontal… (2007) · Cochrane | Weinstein 1996 reported that the psychological intervention led to improvements in plaque score greater than that noted in the attention control group; however the sample size in each arm was very small (n=5) and the… | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Psychological intervention based on a specified psychological model/theory (to increase adherence to oral hygiene instructions) vs No (active) intervention (usual/standard dental care or no-treatment control) Pocket (probing) depth · Adults (aged 18 or over) diagnosed with periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) · 4 months Psychological interventions to improve adherence to oral hygiene instructions in adults with periodontal… (2007) · Cochrane | Little 1997: no change in pocket depth; there were no differences between the intervention and control groups in overall change in pocket depth. (Some analyses suggested greater change in the intervention group when… | 1 study · 107 participants | Ungraded |
Psychological intervention based on a specified psychological model/theory (to increase adherence to oral hygiene instructions) vs No (active) intervention (usual/standard dental care or no-treatment control) Attachment loss · Adults (aged 18 or over) diagnosed with periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) · 4 months Psychological interventions to improve adherence to oral hygiene instructions in adults with periodontal… (2007) · Cochrane | Little 1997: no change in attachment loss; no differences between the intervention and control groups in overall change in attachment (loss of attachment) markers. | 1 study · 107 participants | Ungraded |
Psychological intervention based on a specified psychological model/theory (to increase adherence to oral hygiene instructions) vs Attention control (attention/contact without an active psychological intervention) Self-reported flossing · Adults (aged 18 or over) diagnosed with periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) · 5 weeks (2 weeks post-intervention) Psychological interventions to improve adherence to oral hygiene instructions in adults with periodontal… (2007) · Cochrane | Stewart 1991: there were no differences between the attention control group and the cognitive behavioural (psychological) intervention group for self reported flossing; it cannot be concluded that the cognitive… | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Psychological intervention based on a specified psychological model/theory (to increase adherence to oral hygiene instructions) vs No (active) intervention (usual/standard dental care or no-treatment control) Observed tooth brushing skill · Adults (aged 18 or over) diagnosed with periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) · 4 months Psychological interventions to improve adherence to oral hygiene instructions in adults with periodontal… (2007) · Cochrane | Little 1997 observed and rated participants on brushing skill; Analysis of Covariance found a significant difference favouring the intervention group (one of four measures on which significant differences were found… | 1 study · 107 participants | Ungraded |
Psychological intervention based on a specified psychological model/theory (to increase adherence to oral hygiene instructions) vs Educational intervention (oral hygiene education/instruction) Self-reported tooth brushing · Adults (aged 18 or over) diagnosed with periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) · 5 weeks (2 weeks post-intervention) Psychological interventions to improve adherence to oral hygiene instructions in adults with periodontal… (2007) · Cochrane | Stewart 1991: for self reported brushing only the comparison of the control group with the cognitive behavioural intervention was significant; the cognitive behavioural (psychological) intervention showed no… | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Psychological intervention based on a specified psychological model/theory (to increase adherence to oral hygiene instructions) vs No (active) intervention (usual/standard dental care or no-treatment control) Self-efficacy beliefs (tooth brushing) · Adults (aged 18 or over) diagnosed with periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) Psychological interventions to improve adherence to oral hygiene instructions in adults with periodontal… (2007) · Cochrane | Stewart 1996: the psychological intervention had no discernible effect on self efficacy beliefs concerning tooth brushing; the data on perceived self efficacy for tooth brushing were not analysed due to ceiling effects… | 1 study · 117 participants | Ungraded |
Psychological intervention based on a specified psychological model/theory (to increase adherence to oral hygiene instructions) vs No (active) intervention (usual/standard dental care or no-treatment control) Self-reported flossing · Adults (aged 18 or over) diagnosed with periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) Psychological interventions to improve adherence to oral hygiene instructions in adults with periodontal… (2007) · Cochrane | Self assessed flossing was assessed in two studies (Little 1997; Stewart 1991); both reported improvements for the intervention groups. Little 1997: Analysis of Covariance found significant differences favouring the… | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Psychological intervention based on a specified psychological model/theory (to increase adherence to oral hygiene instructions) vs Attention control (attention/contact without an active psychological intervention) Self-reported tooth brushing · Adults (aged 18 or over) diagnosed with periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) · 5 weeks (2 weeks post-intervention) Psychological interventions to improve adherence to oral hygiene instructions in adults with periodontal… (2007) · Cochrane | Stewart 1991: for self reported brushing only the comparison of the control group with the cognitive behavioural intervention was significant; the cognitive behavioural (psychological) intervention conveyed no… | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Psychological intervention based on a specified psychological model/theory (to increase adherence to oral hygiene instructions) vs Educational intervention (oral hygiene education/instruction) Plaque score · Adults (aged 18 or over) diagnosed with periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) · 5 weeks (2 weeks post-intervention) Psychological interventions to improve adherence to oral hygiene instructions in adults with periodontal… (2007) · Cochrane | Stewart 1991: while the educational intervention group and the cognitive behavioural intervention group both showed significant differences compared to the control group in plaque scores, the cognitive behavioural… | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Psychological intervention based on a specified psychological model/theory (to increase adherence to oral hygiene instructions) vs Educational intervention (oral hygiene education/instruction) Self-reported flossing · Adults (aged 18 or over) diagnosed with periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) · 5 weeks (2 weeks post-intervention) Psychological interventions to improve adherence to oral hygiene instructions in adults with periodontal… (2007) · Cochrane | Stewart 1991: there were no differences between the educational intervention group and the cognitive behavioural (psychological) intervention group for self reported flossing; improvements in flossing could not be… | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Psychological intervention based on a specified psychological model/theory (to increase adherence to oral hygiene instructions) vs No (active) intervention (usual/standard dental care or no-treatment control) Self-reported tooth brushing · Adults (aged 18 or over) diagnosed with periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) Psychological interventions to improve adherence to oral hygiene instructions in adults with periodontal… (2007) · Cochrane | Self assessed brushing was assessed in two studies (Little 1997; Stewart 1991); both found the intervention groups reported improved brushing. Little 1997: Analysis of Covariance found significant differences favouring… | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Psychological intervention based on a specified psychological model/theory (to increase adherence to oral hygiene instructions) vs Educational intervention (oral hygiene education/instruction) Self-efficacy beliefs (flossing) · Adults (aged 18 or over) diagnosed with periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) Psychological interventions to improve adherence to oral hygiene instructions in adults with periodontal… (2007) · Cochrane | Stewart 1996: the psychological intervention group demonstrated significantly higher change in self efficacy scores for flossing at post-intervention compared to the educational group (there was no difference in the… | 1 study · 78 participants | Ungraded |