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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.

Limit to evidence status or GRADE (optional)

1,344 questions in 217 reviews · Oral Health

current versions
No studies 1,344 · 100%Ungraded 0 · 0%Very low 0 · 0%Low 0 · 0%Moderate 0 · 0%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.

QuestionEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Hypnosis vs Conventional treatment
Completion of dental treatment · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · Immediately before or during LA
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Completion of dental treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Clindamycin + SRP vs Doxycycline + SRP
Adverse events · Adults with aggressive periodontitis · Long-term (≥ 1 year)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
Included study has not reported adverse eventsNRNo studies
Metronidazole + SRP vs SRP
Patient-reported quality of life changes · Adults with periodontitis (chronic and aggressive) · Long-term (≥ 1 year)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
Included studies have not reported this outcomeNRNo studies
Audiovisual distraction vs Conventional treatment
Patient satisfaction: measured by questionnaires · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · During LA
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Patient satisfaction: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Surgical removal (extraction) of asymptomatic disease-free impacted wisdom teeth vs Retention (conservative management) of asymptomatic disease-free impacted wisdom teeth
Costs (days off work/study; direct costs of retention or removal) · Adolescents or adults with asymptomatic disease-free impacted wisdom teeth
Surgical removal versus retention for the management of asymptomatic disease‐free impacted wisdom teeth (2020) · Cochrane
Costs: Not measured. The included studies did not measure days off work/study or direct costs associated with retention or removal of wisdom teeth and treatment of associated symptoms or complications.0 studiesNo studies
Clindamycin + SRP vs Doxycycline + SRP
Percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults with aggressive periodontitis · Long-term (≥ 1 year)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
Included studies have not reported this outcomeNRNo studies
Autologous platelet concentrate (PRP/PRF) in socket vs No blood product (conventional)
Adverse effects · Adults with mandibular third molars requiring removal · up to 30 days
Surgical techniques for the removal of mandibular wisdom teeth (2020) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Surgical removal (extraction) of asymptomatic disease-free impacted wisdom teeth vs Retention (conservative management) of asymptomatic disease-free impacted wisdom teeth
Health-related quality of life · Adolescents or adults with asymptomatic disease-free impacted wisdom teeth
Surgical removal versus retention for the management of asymptomatic disease‐free impacted wisdom teeth (2020) · Cochrane
Health-related quality of life: Our primary outcome was not assessed in the included studies.0 studiesNo studies
The wand (computer-controlled LA delivery system) vs Sleeper One (electronic LA delivery system)
Successful LA/painless treatment · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · During LA (injection is the intervention)
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Successful LA/painless treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Lingual nerve retractor (subperiosteal or Free's) vs No retractor
Adverse effects (reactionary bleeding) · Adults with mandibular third molars requiring removal · up to 30 days
Surgical techniques for the removal of mandibular wisdom teeth (2020) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Lingual nerve retractor (subperiosteal or Free's) vs No retractor
Alveolar osteitis · Adults with mandibular third molars requiring removal · 1 week
Surgical techniques for the removal of mandibular wisdom teeth (2020) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Autologous platelet concentrate (PRP/PRF) in socket vs No blood product (conventional)
Permanent altered tongue, chin, or lip sensation · Adults with mandibular third molars requiring removal · >6 months
Surgical techniques for the removal of mandibular wisdom teeth (2020) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Pre-cooling of the injection site vs Conventional treatment
Successful LA/painless treatment · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · Immediately before LA
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Successful LA/painless treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Video modelling acclimatisation vs Acclimatisation in clinic (tell-show-do)
Patient satisfaction: measured by questionnaires · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · In advance of LA
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Patient satisfaction: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Camouflage syringe vs Conventional syringe
Adverse effects · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · During LA (injection is the intervention)
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Adverse effects: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Antimicrobial mouthwash and/or nasal spray (alone or in combination), any concentration, frequency or dosage vs No treatment, saline, or water
Changes in microbiome in oral cavity, nasal cavity, oro- or nasopharynx · Patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection
Antimicrobial mouthwashes (gargling) and nasal sprays administered to patients with suspected or confirmed… (2020) · Cochrane
No data available (no included studies)0 studiesNo studies
Clindamycin + SRP vs Doxycycline + SRP
Percentage of closed pockets · Adults with aggressive periodontitis · Long-term (≥ 1 year)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
Included studies have not reported this outcomeNRNo studies
Video modelling acclimatisation for LA vs Oral hygiene video
Adverse effects · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · In advance of LA
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Adverse effects: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Video modelling acclimatisation for LA vs Oral hygiene video
Successful LA/painless treatment · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · In advance of LA
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Successful LA/painless treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Coronectomy vs Complete extraction (odontectomy)
Alveolar osteitis · Adults with mandibular third molars requiring removal · 1 week
Surgical techniques for the removal of mandibular wisdom teeth (2020) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Fibre-optic transillumination (FOTI, including white light scattering and near infrared) vs Reference standard: histology or enhanced visual-tactile examination
Outcome NR · Adults presenting asymptomatically or suspected of having root caries (in vivo); extracted teeth of adults (in vitro)
Tests to detect and inform the diagnosis of root caries (2020) · Cochrane
Fibre-optic transillumination was a pre-specified eligible index test but no diagnostic test accuracy study of fibre-optic transillumination was included.0 studiesNo studies
The wand (computer-controlled LA delivery system) vs Sleeper One (electronic LA delivery system)
Patient satisfaction: measured by questionnaires · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · During LA (injection is the intervention)
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Patient satisfaction: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Counter-stimulation and distraction (combined) vs Conventional treatment
Completion of dental treatment · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · During LA
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Completion of dental treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Lingual nerve retractor (subperiosteal or Free's) vs No retractor
Postoperative pain · Adults with mandibular third molars requiring removal · 24 hours
Surgical techniques for the removal of mandibular wisdom teeth (2020) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Counter-stimulation and distraction (combined) vs Conventional treatment
Patient satisfaction: measured by questionnaires · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · During LA
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Patient satisfaction: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Video modelling acclimatisation for LA vs Oral hygiene video
Patient satisfaction: measured by questionnaires · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · In advance of LA
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Patient satisfaction: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
No recall interval / patient-driven attendance vs A fixed recall interval
Outcome NR · Children and adults receiving dental check-ups in primary care, irrespective of oral disease risk
Recall intervals for oral health in primary care patients (2020) · Cochrane
No studies identified comparing no-recall/patient-driven attendance with a fixed recall interval.0 studiesNo studies
Tetracycline + SRP vs SRP
Percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults with aggressive periodontitis · Long-term (≥ 1 year)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
Included studies have not reported this outcomeNRNo studies
Clindamycin + SRP vs Metronidazole + SRP
Percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) · Adults with aggressive periodontitis · Long-term (≥ 1 year)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
Included studies have not reported this outcomeNRNo studies
Camouflage syringe vs Conventional syringe
Successful LA/painless treatment · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · During LA (injection is the intervention)
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Successful LA/painless treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Triangular flap vs Envelope flap
Temporary altered tongue, chin, or lip sensation · Adults with mandibular third molars requiring removal · ~1 month
Surgical techniques for the removal of mandibular wisdom teeth (2020) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Video modelling acclimatisation vs Acclimatisation in clinic (tell-show-do)
Completion of dental treatment · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · In advance of LA
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Completion of dental treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Coronectomy vs Complete extraction (odontectomy)
Wound infection · Adults with mandibular third molars requiring removal · 1 week
Surgical techniques for the removal of mandibular wisdom teeth (2020) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Any antimicrobial mouthwash and/or nasal spray (alone or in combination), at any concentration, delivered to the patient or HCW before and/or after an AGP vs No treatment or saline or water
COVID-19 viral content of aerosol · Patients without suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection undergoing aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs), and the…
Antimicrobial mouthwashes (gargling) and nasal sprays to protect healthcare workers when undertaking… (2020) · Cochrane
No data available (no included studies)NRNo studies
The wand (computer-controlled LA delivery system) vs Traditional local anaesthetic
Completion of dental treatment · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · During LA (injection is the intervention)
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Completion of dental treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Tetracycline + SRP vs SRP
Antimicrobial resistance · Adults with aggressive periodontitis · Long-term (≥ 1 year)
Adjunctive systemic antimicrobials for the non‐surgical treatment of periodontitis (2020) · Cochrane
Included studies have not reported this outcomeNRNo studies
Mechanical tongue cleaning (tongue scraper) vs No tongue cleaning
Adverse events · Adolescents and adults aged over 16 years with clinical or self-assessed halitosis of oral origin; excluding induced… · mean 2 weeks
Interventions for managing halitosis (2019) · Cochrane
Adverse events: listed in the Summary of findings table but no data reported. No data were reported for adverse events.0 studiesNo studies
Fixation and stabilisation (splint type/duration) vs Different splint, no splint, or different splinting duration
Outcome NR · People with avulsed and replanted permanent (front) teeth
Interventions for treating traumatised permanent front teeth: avulsed (knocked out) and replanted (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Flossing plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone
Interproximal caries · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate)
Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane
No included study assessed caries as an outcome.0 studiesNo studies
12,500 ppm F (NaF/olaflur/dectaflur) amine fluoride gel vs 0 ppm F placebo gel
Number of participants with more severe DLs (severity of DLs) · Orthodontic patients of any age with fixed braces (new DLs assessed at debond) · At debond (end of orthodontic treatment)
Fluorides for preventing early tooth decay (demineralised lesions) during fixed brace treatment (2019) · Cochrane
Additional SoF Table 1. Number of participants with more severe DLs: none of the trials reported this outcome.0 studiesNo studies
Wooden cleaning stick plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing
Periodontitis (probing pocket depth) · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate)
Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane
No included study assessed periodontitis.0 studiesNo studies
Antifibrinolytic therapy (tranexamic acid or epsilon aminocaproic acid) vs Placebo, no intervention or usual care (with or without placebo)
Number of minor postoperative bleeding episodes · People with haemophilia (A or B) undergoing minor oral surgery or dental extractions
Antifibrinolytic therapy for preventing oral bleeding in patients with haemophilia or Von Willebrand disease… (2019) · Cochrane
This outcome was not reported in either of the trials.0 studiesNo studies
Mechanical tongue cleaning (tongue scraper) vs No tongue cleaning
Patient-reported OLT score · Adolescents and adults aged over 16 years with clinical or self-assessed halitosis of oral origin; excluding induced… · mean 2 weeks
Interventions for managing halitosis (2019) · Cochrane
Patient-reported OLT score assessed with patient's perception: listed in the Summary of findings table but no data reported. No data were reported for patient-reported OLT score.0 studiesNo studies
Wooden cleaning stick plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone
Gingivitis (gingival index) · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate)
Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane
Gingivitis measured by gingival index: Not measured.0 studiesNo studies
0.3% triclosan + PVM/MA + sodium fluoride toothpaste vs Sodium fluoride (control) toothpaste
Patient-reported OLT score · Adolescents and adults aged over 16 years with clinical or self-assessed halitosis of oral origin; excluding induced… · mean 1 week
Interventions for managing halitosis (2019) · Cochrane
Patient-reported OLT score: listed in the Summary of findings table but no data reported. No data were reported for patient-reported OLT score.0 studiesNo studies
Hinokitiol gel vs Placebo gel
Adverse events · Adolescents and adults aged over 16 years with clinical or self-assessed halitosis of oral origin; excluding induced… · mean 4 weeks
Interventions for managing halitosis (2019) · Cochrane
Adverse events: listed in the Summary of findings table but no data reported. No data were reported for adverse events.0 studiesNo studies
Oral irrigation plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing
Periodontitis (probing pocket depth) · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate)
Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling… (2019) · Cochrane
No included study assessed periodontitis.0 studiesNo studies
Patient-used 5000 ppm F toothpaste, daily vs 1450 ppm F (conventional) toothpaste, daily
Number of participants with more severe DLs (severity of DLs) · Orthodontic patients of any age with fixed braces (new DLs assessed at debond) · At debond (end of orthodontic treatment)
Fluorides for preventing early tooth decay (demineralised lesions) during fixed brace treatment (2019) · Cochrane
SoF 3. Number of participants with more severe DLs: none of the trials reported this outcome.0 studiesNo studies
Oral hygiene interventions (mechanical plaque removal): knowledge-based, behavioural, or skills training for people with ID or their carers vs Usual care, no care, or a similar alternative intervention
Dental caries levels of people with ID · People with intellectual disabilities (ID), living at home, in day care, in hospital or in a residential care setting;…
Oral hygiene interventions for people with intellectual disabilities (2019) · Cochrane
No studies measured dental caries levels. One RCT (Shaw 1991, Comparison 5) assessed DMFT at baseline only and did not report caries at any later time point.0 studiesNo studies
Chlorhexidine + zinc acetate mouthwash vs Placebo mouthwash
Adverse events · Adolescents and adults aged over 16 years with clinical or self-assessed halitosis of oral origin; excluding induced… · mean 3 months
Interventions for managing halitosis (2019) · Cochrane
Adverse events: listed in the Summary of findings table but no data reported. No data were reported for adverse events.0 studiesNo studies