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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. Every word you type has to appear somewhere in the question, and the closest matches are ranked first.

Limit to evidence status or GRADE (optional)

15,213 questions in 2,394 reviews

current versions
No studies 15,213 · 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
Superselective neck dissection vs Selective neck dissection
Recurrence · Adults with oral cavity cancer (tongue or floor of mouth) and clinically negative neck nodes
Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers: surgical treatment (2023) · Cochrane
Recurrence: outcome not reported in a usable way in either study.0 studiesNo studies
Fibre-reinforced composite fixed (bonded) retainer vs Multistrand / spiral wire fixed (bonded) retainer
Adverse effects on oral health: Gingival Index (lower arch) · People who had received fixed appliance orthodontic treatment · 12 months, lower arch
Retention procedures for stabilising tooth position after treatment with orthodontic braces (2023) · Cochrane
No RCTs at 12-month follow-up; 1 RCT at 6 months: higher gingival inflammation with fibre-reinforced composite (MD 0.59, 95% CI 0.13 to 1.05; very low-certainty)0 studiesNo studies
Light-emitting diode (LED) photobiomodulation vs Conventional orthodontic appliance treatment
Harms and side effects arising during treatment · Adolescents and adults with malocclusion undergoing fixed orthodontic appliance treatment
Non‐surgical adjunctive interventions for accelerating tooth movement in patients undergoing orthodontic… (2023) · Cochrane
Harms and side effects | Not reported. None of the included studies assessed harms arising during the LED intervention.NRNo studies
Zinc oxide eugenol vs Alvogyl (old formulation)
Limitation of chewing or swallowing · Adults (>18 years) with established dry socket following permanent tooth extraction
Local interventions for the management of alveolar osteitis (dry socket) (2022) · Cochrane
No studies reported this outcome0 studiesNo studies
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) vs Alternative (active) treatment (e.g. oral splint, medication, self-care or disease management)
Quality of life · People aged 12 years and over with painful TMD lasting 3 months or longer
Psychological therapies for temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) (2022) · Cochrane
This outcome was not measured (not synthesised for this comparison; review-wide only one study reported quality of life).NRNo studies
Living with HIV and undergoing antiretroviral therapy (ART/HAART) vs Healthy HIV-negative controls
Kaposi's sarcoma (WHO clinical stage 4) · Children and adolescents (<18 years) · Cross-sectional (case-control; single time point)
Oral Health Status of Children and Adolescents Living with HIV Undergoing Antiretroviral Therapy: A… (2022)
Planned WHO stage 4 outcome; no eligible studies (Table 2 lists 'None').0 studiesNo studies
Traditional screening (referral card given if the inspecting dentist judges the child needs to see a dentist) vs No screening
Proportion of children with treated/untreated caries · School children (aged 4 to 15 years), primary and secondary schools in the UK and India
School dental screening programmes for oral health (2022) · Cochrane
Proportion of children with treated/untreated caries: Not reported (Summary of findings 1).0 studiesNo studies
Fluoride-releasing resin-based sealant vs Resin-based sealant
Adverse events · Children with caries-free second primary molars, aged 4-8 years (dental clinic, Turkey and Spain)
Sealants for preventing dental caries in primary teeth (2022) · Cochrane
No studies reported this outcome.0 studiesNo studies
Responsive complementary feeding (RCF) vs Other models of complementary feeding
Hypertension · Healthy children aged 6–24 months in Western industrialized countries
Complementary Feeding Caregivers' Practices and Growth, Risk of Overweight/Obesity, and Other… (2022)
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Traditional screening (referral card given if the inspecting dentist judges the child needs to see a dentist) vs No screening
Developmental defects of enamel measured by any validated index · School children (aged 4 to 15 years), primary and secondary schools in the UK and India
School dental screening programmes for oral health (2022) · Cochrane
No studies measured developmental defects of enamel (by any validated index).0 studiesNo studies
Glass ionomer-based sealant vs Resin-based sealant (fluoride-releasing or non-fluoride-releasing)
Progression of non-cavitated enamel caries · 'Healthy' children with caries-free second primary molars, aged 3-5 years (schools and kindergartens, India and China)
Sealants for preventing dental caries in primary teeth (2022) · Cochrane
No studies reported this outcome.0 studiesNo studies
Zinc oxide eugenol vs Alvogyl (old formulation)
Swelling · Adults (>18 years) with established dry socket following permanent tooth extraction
Local interventions for the management of alveolar osteitis (dry socket) (2022) · Cochrane
No studies reported this outcome0 studiesNo studies
Zinc oxide eugenol vs Alvogyl (old formulation)
Fever · Adults (>18 years) with established dry socket following permanent tooth extraction
Local interventions for the management of alveolar osteitis (dry socket) (2022) · Cochrane
No studies reported this outcome0 studiesNo studies
Oral care vs No oral care
Outcome NR · Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
Oral care measures for preventing nursing home‐acquired pneumonia (2022) · Cochrane
No studies evaluated oral care versus no oral care.0 studiesNo studies
Any preprocedural mouth rinse vs Placebo, no rinsing or control
Adverse events such as transient discolouration, altered taste, allergic reaction, hypersensitivity · Dental patients undergoing aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs)
Preprocedural mouth rinses for preventing transmission of infectious diseases through aerosols in dental… (2022) · Cochrane
SoF tables state 'Not reported'; no included study reported adverse events.0 studiesNo studies
Any preprocedural mouth rinse vs Placebo, no rinsing or control
Incidence of infection of dental healthcare providers · Dental patients undergoing aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs)
Preprocedural mouth rinses for preventing transmission of infectious diseases through aerosols in dental… (2022) · Cochrane
Primary outcome. Not measured by any of the 17 included studies (SoF tables state 'Not reported'); remained a total evidence gap from the protocol.0 studiesNo studies
Periodontal treatment: scaling and root planing (SRP) plus advice vs Community care: advice only
All CVD-related death · People with cardiovascular disease and chronic periodontitis
Periodontal therapy for primary or secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease in people with periodontitis (2022) · Cochrane
SoF row 'All CVD-related death': Outcome not reported. Results 2.1.2: Not reported.0 studiesNo studies
Full-mouth disinfection (FMD): scaling/root planing (subgingival instrumentation) of all quadrants within 24 hours plus adjunctive antiseptic (chlorhexidine) treatments (rinsing, pocket irrigation, tongue/tonsil brushing) vs Quadrant scaling and root planing (control): SRP of each quadrant in separate sessions at least one week apart
Tooth loss · Adults with a clinical diagnosis of (chronic) periodontitis (1999 classification); studies of aggressive…
Full‐mouth treatment modalities (within 24 hours) for periodontitis in adults (2022) · Cochrane
Tooth loss: None of the studies comparing FMD vs control reported tooth loss.0 studiesNo studies
Combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) vs Monotherapy or dual antiretroviral therapy
Angular cheilitis prevalence · Children and adolescents (<18 years) living with HIV (CLWH)
Impact of Antiretroviral Therapy on Oral Health among Children Living with HIV: A Systematic Review and… (2022)
No eligible studies compared angular cheilitis between CLWH on different ART medications.0 studiesNo studies
Responsive complementary feeding (RCF) vs Other models of complementary feeding
Choking events · Healthy children aged 6–24 months in Western industrialized countries
Complementary Feeding Caregivers' Practices and Growth, Risk of Overweight/Obesity, and Other… (2022)
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Glass ionomer-based sealant vs No sealant
Adverse events · Children with caries-free primary first molars (with or without caries on other teeth), aged 1-5 years (paediatric…
Sealants for preventing dental caries in primary teeth (2022) · Cochrane
No studies reported this outcome.0 studiesNo studies
Responsive complementary feeding (RCF) / other caregivers' feeding practices vs Other models of complementary feeding (traditional/non-responsive CF)
Type 2 diabetes (later in life) · Healthy, term-born, normal-birth-weight infants aged 4-24 months (breastfed and/or formula-fed) in Western… · Later in life
Complementary Feeding Caregivers' Practices and Growth, Risk of Overweight/Obesity, and Other… (2022)
No studies on the influence of caregivers' feeding practices during complementary feeding on type 2 diabetes later in life were identified.0 studiesNo studies
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) vs Alternative (active) treatment (e.g. oral splint, medication, self-care or disease management)
Additional physical symptoms · People aged 12 years and over with painful TMD lasting 3 months or longer
Psychological therapies for temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) (2022) · Cochrane
This outcome was not measured (not synthesised for this comparison; review-wide only one study reported additional physical symptoms).NRNo studies
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) vs Usual care, waiting list or no treatment (control)
Quality of life · People aged 12 years and over with painful TMD lasting 3 months or longer
Psychological therapies for temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) (2022) · Cochrane
This outcome was not measured for this comparison.NRNo studies
Responsive complementary feeding (RCF) vs Other models of complementary feeding
Dental caries · Healthy children aged 6–24 months in Western industrialized countries
Complementary Feeding Caregivers' Practices and Growth, Risk of Overweight/Obesity, and Other… (2022)
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Fluoride-releasing resin-based sealant vs Resin-based sealant
Progression of non-cavitated enamel caries · Children with caries-free second primary molars, aged 4-8 years (dental clinic, Turkey and Spain)
Sealants for preventing dental caries in primary teeth (2022) · Cochrane
No studies reported this outcome.0 studiesNo studies
Traditional screening (referral card given if the inspecting dentist judges the child needs to see a dentist) vs No screening
Gingivitis measured by any validated index · School children (aged 4 to 15 years), primary and secondary schools in the UK and India
School dental screening programmes for oral health (2022) · Cochrane
No studies measured gingivitis (by any validated index).0 studiesNo studies
Autopolymerised sealant vs Light polymerised sealant
Adverse events · Children with sound primary molars, aged 2-4 years (municipal dental clinics or hospital paediatric clinics, Denmark)
Sealants for preventing dental caries in primary teeth (2022) · Cochrane
No studies reported this outcome.0 studiesNo studies
Flowable resin composite vs Fluoride-releasing resin-based sealant
Adverse events · Children who were regular dental attenders with caries-free first or second primary molars (public health service…
Sealants for preventing dental caries in primary teeth (2022) · Cochrane
No studies reported this outcome.0 studiesNo studies
Antibiotic prophylaxis before dental procedure vs No antibiotic prophylaxis or placebo
Mortality or serious adverse events requiring hospitalisation · Adults or children at increased risk of bacterial endocarditis (pre-existing cardiac condition) undergoing an invasive…
Antibiotic prophylaxis for preventing bacterial endocarditis following dental procedures (2022) · Cochrane
Mortality or serious adverse events requiring hospitalisation | No data reported | 248 (1 study) | - | -0 studiesNo studies
Fluoride-releasing resin-based sealant vs No sealant (no treatment)
Adverse events · Children with caries-free or non-cavitated carious lesion primary molars, aged 3-7 years (paediatric department,…
Sealants for preventing dental caries in primary teeth (2022) · Cochrane
No studies reported this outcome.0 studiesNo studies
Flowable resin composite vs Fluoride-releasing resin-based sealant
Progression of non-cavitated enamel caries · Children who were regular dental attenders with caries-free first or second primary molars (public health service…
Sealants for preventing dental caries in primary teeth (2022) · Cochrane
No studies reported this outcome.0 studiesNo studies
Combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) vs Monotherapy or dual antiretroviral therapy
Dental development and maturation · Children and adolescents (<18 years) living with HIV (CLWH)
Impact of Antiretroviral Therapy on Oral Health among Children Living with HIV: A Systematic Review and… (2022)
No eligible studies compared dental development and maturation between CLWH on different ART medications.0 studiesNo studies
Bio-active restorative materials vs Other restorative approaches
Clinical effectiveness · Children with carious primary teeth · At least 12 months
Clinical effectiveness of restorative materials for the restoration of carious primary teeth without pulp… (2022)
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Periodontal treatment: scaling and root planing (SRP) plus advice vs Community care: advice only
All-cause death · People with cardiovascular disease and chronic periodontitis
Periodontal therapy for primary or secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease in people with periodontitis (2022) · Cochrane
SoF row 'All-cause death': Outcome not reported. Results 2.1.1: Not reported.0 studiesNo studies
Living with HIV and undergoing antiretroviral therapy (ART/HAART) vs Healthy HIV-negative controls
Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis/periodontitis (WHO clinical stage 3) · Children and adolescents (<18 years) · Cross-sectional (case-control; single time point)
Oral Health Status of Children and Adolescents Living with HIV Undergoing Antiretroviral Therapy: A… (2022)
Planned WHO stage 3 outcome; no eligible studies (Table 2 lists 'None').0 studiesNo studies
Living with HIV and undergoing antiretroviral therapy (ART/HAART) vs Healthy HIV-negative controls
Chronic herpes simplex infection (WHO clinical stage 4) · Children and adolescents (<18 years) · Cross-sectional (case-control; single time point)
Oral Health Status of Children and Adolescents Living with HIV Undergoing Antiretroviral Therapy: A… (2022)
Planned WHO stage 4 outcome; no eligible studies (Table 2 lists 'None').0 studiesNo studies
Bio-active restorative materials (containing bio-active compounds) vs Any conventional restorative material
Treatment failure (planned; no eligible studies) · Children with carious primary teeth after vital or non-vital pulp therapy
Clinical effectiveness of restorative materials for the restoration of carious lesions in pulp treated… (2022)
No studies were found that reported on the use of restorative materials containing bio-active compounds for the restoration of carious primary teeth after vital or non-vital pulp therapy.0 studiesNo studies
Any preprocedural mouth rinse vs Placebo, no rinsing or control
Change of microbiota in the patient's mouth · Dental patients undergoing aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs)
Preprocedural mouth rinses for preventing transmission of infectious diseases through aerosols in dental… (2022) · Cochrane
No included study reported change of oral microbiota.0 studiesNo studies
Fluoride-containing dental care products / fluoride intake vs Male vs female
Sex/gender differences in fluoride intake or dental-care-product contribution · Participants stratified by sex/gender (especially young children)
Fluoride Intake Through Dental Care Products: A Systematic Review. (2022)
no estimate extracted0 studiesNo studies
Any preprocedural mouth rinse vs Placebo, no rinsing or control
Acceptability and feasibility of the intervention to patients and dental healthcare providers · Dental patients undergoing aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs)
Preprocedural mouth rinses for preventing transmission of infectious diseases through aerosols in dental… (2022) · Cochrane
No included study assessed acceptability or feasibility.0 studiesNo studies
Traditional screening (referral card given if the inspecting dentist judges the child needs to see a dentist) vs No screening
Malocclusion or orthodontic treatment needs measured by any validated index · School children (aged 4 to 15 years), primary and secondary schools in the UK and India
School dental screening programmes for oral health (2022) · Cochrane
No studies measured malocclusion or orthodontic treatment needs (by any validated index).0 studiesNo studies
Responsive complementary feeding (RCF) / other caregivers' feeding practices vs Other models of complementary feeding (traditional/non-responsive CF)
Hypertension (later in life) · Healthy, term-born, normal-birth-weight infants aged 4-24 months (breastfed and/or formula-fed) in Western… · Later in life
Complementary Feeding Caregivers' Practices and Growth, Risk of Overweight/Obesity, and Other… (2022)
No studies on the influence of caregivers' feeding practices during complementary feeding on hypertension later in life were identified.0 studiesNo studies
Traditional screening (referral card given if the inspecting dentist judges the child needs to see a dentist) vs No screening
Proportion of children with other untreated oral health needs · School children (aged 4 to 15 years), primary and secondary schools in the UK and India
School dental screening programmes for oral health (2022) · Cochrane
Proportion of children with other treated/untreated oral health need: Not reported (Summary of findings 1).0 studiesNo studies
Antibiotic prophylaxis before dental procedure vs No antibiotic prophylaxis or placebo
Development of endocarditis due to other (non-dental) causes · Adults or children at increased risk of bacterial endocarditis (pre-existing cardiac condition) undergoing an invasive…
Antibiotic prophylaxis for preventing bacterial endocarditis following dental procedures (2022) · Cochrane
Only four cases developed endocarditis following non-dental medical interventions (within the past 180 days and with pre-existing cardiac indications for the use of prophylaxis), so assessment of the effects of…0 studiesNo studies
Cephalomedullary nails vs extramedullary implants
Health‐related quality of life, early (≤ 4 months) · older adults with stable or unstable extracapsular hip fractures
Cephalomedullary nails versus extramedullary implants for extracapsular hip fractures in older adults (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) vs hemiarthroplasty
Self‐reported shoulder function · adults undergoing surgery for displaced proximal humeral fracturesa (2 trials)
Interventions for treating proximal humeral fractures in adults (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Summary of findings: inhaled TOBI® (IV preparation) vs tobramycin
Pulmonary exacerbations · adults and children with CF and P aeruginosa
Inhaled anti‐pseudomonal antibiotics for long‐term therapy in cystic fibrosis (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Summary of findings: inhaled TOBI® (IV preparation) vs tobramycin
Quality of life · adults and children with CF and P aeruginosa
Inhaled anti‐pseudomonal antibiotics for long‐term therapy in cystic fibrosis (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Summary of findings: inhaled TOBI® (IV preparation) vs tobramycin
Survival · adults and children with CF and P aeruginosa
Inhaled anti‐pseudomonal antibiotics for long‐term therapy in cystic fibrosis (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies