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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.
73 questions in 13 reviews · Dental public health and special care
current versionsNo studies 73 · 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.
| Question | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
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 studies | No 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 studies | No 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 studies | No 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 studies | No 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 studies | No 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 studies | No 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 studies | No studies |
Professional oral care vs Usual oral care Change in systemic antibiotic use · Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities Oral care measures for preventing nursing home‐acquired pneumonia (2022) · Cochrane | No studies measured change in systemic antibiotic use. | 0 studies | No studies |
Antibiotic prophylaxis before dental procedure vs No antibiotic prophylaxis or placebo Adverse effects of antibiotics · 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 | Adverse effects of antibiotics | No data reported | 248 (1 study) | - | - | 0 studies | No studies |
Antibiotic prophylaxis before dental procedure vs No antibiotic prophylaxis or placebo Cost implications of antibiotic provision · 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 | The study did not provide any data on mortality, adverse events requiring hospitalisation, adverse effects of antibiotics or cost implications of treatment. | 0 studies | No studies |
Any preprocedural mouth rinse vs Placebo, no rinsing or control Cost · 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 cost. | 0 studies | No 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 Other adverse events: changes in microbiome in oral cavity, nasal cavity, oro- or nasopharynx · 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) | NR | No 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 Other adverse events: allergy, irritation/burning of nasal, oral or oropharyngeal mucosa (e.g. erosions, ulcers, bleeding), long-term staining of mucous membranes or teeth, accidental ingestion · 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) | NR | No studies |
General ventilation (e.g. natural ventilation, exhaust fans, opening windows) vs No general ventilation / standard operatory Outcome NR · Dental healthcare providers (dentist, dental surgery assistant, dental hygienist, dental technologist, dental… Interventions to reduce contaminated aerosols produced during dental procedures for preventing infectious… (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Any method, procedure or policy to reduce contaminated aerosols in dental clinics vs Any other method, no treatment or combination of methods Costs for the interventions used · Dental healthcare providers (dentist, dental surgery assistant, dental hygienist, dental technologist, dental… Interventions to reduce contaminated aerosols produced during dental procedures for preventing infectious… (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Any antimicrobial mouthwash and/or nasal spray (alone or in combination), at any concentration, delivered to healthcare workers, with or without the same intervention given to the patients with COVID-19 vs No treatment or saline or water Anosmia (or disturbance in sense of smell) · Healthcare workers (HCWs) treating patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection · Minimum 2 weeks Use of antimicrobial mouthwashes (gargling) and nasal sprays by healthcare workers to protect them when… (2020) · Cochrane | No data available (no included studies) | 0 studies | No studies |
Any antimicrobial mouthwash and/or nasal spray (alone or in combination), at any concentration, delivered to healthcare workers, with or without the same intervention given to the patients with COVID-19 vs No treatment or saline or water Viral content of aerosol · Healthcare workers (HCWs) treating patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection Use of antimicrobial mouthwashes (gargling) and nasal sprays by healthcare workers to protect them when… (2020) · Cochrane | No data available (no included studies) | 0 studies | No studies |
Chlorhexidine (mouthrinse or gel), as part of oral hygiene care vs Placebo or usual care Caregivers' preferences for oral hygiene care · Critically ill patients (adults and children) receiving mechanical ventilation in ICU Oral hygiene care for critically ill patients to prevent ventilator‐associated pneumonia (2020) · Cochrane | The outcome of caregivers' preferences was not reported by any study in this comparison. | 0 studies | No studies |
Toothbrushing (with or without antiseptics), as part of oral hygiene care vs No toothbrushing (with or without antiseptics) Systemic antibiotic use · Critically ill adults receiving mechanical ventilation in ICU Oral hygiene care for critically ill patients to prevent ventilator‐associated pneumonia (2020) · Cochrane | This outcome was not reported by any of the studies in this comparison. | 0 studies | No studies |
Toothbrushing (with or without antiseptics), as part of oral hygiene care vs No toothbrushing (with or without antiseptics) Caregivers' preferences for oral hygiene care · Critically ill adults receiving mechanical ventilation in ICU Oral hygiene care for critically ill patients to prevent ventilator‐associated pneumonia (2020) · Cochrane | The outcome of caregivers' preferences was not reported by any study in this comparison. | 0 studies | No studies |
Antimicrobial mouthwash and/or nasal spray (alone or in combination), any concentration, frequency or dosage vs No treatment, saline, or water COVID-19 viral content of aerosol (when present) · 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 studies | No studies |
Ozonisation vs No ozonisation / standard operatory Outcome NR · Dental healthcare providers (dentist, dental surgery assistant, dental hygienist, dental technologist, dental… Interventions to reduce contaminated aerosols produced during dental procedures for preventing infectious… (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No 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 Change in COVID-19 viral load at site(s) of irrigation · 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) | NR | No 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 Anosmia (or disturbance in sense of smell) · Patients without suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection undergoing aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs), and the… · Assessed at a minimum of 2 weeks Antimicrobial mouthwashes (gargling) and nasal sprays to protect healthcare workers when undertaking… (2020) · Cochrane | No data available (no included studies) | NR | No studies |
Ultraviolet (UV) light air decontamination vs No UV light / standard operatory Outcome NR · Dental healthcare providers (dentist, dental surgery assistant, dental hygienist, dental technologist, dental… Interventions to reduce contaminated aerosols produced during dental procedures for preventing infectious… (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No 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 Incidence of symptomatic or test-positive COVID-19 infection in HCWs or patients · Patients without suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection undergoing aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs), and the… · Assessed at a minimum of 2 weeks Antimicrobial mouthwashes (gargling) and nasal sprays to protect healthcare workers when undertaking… (2020) · Cochrane | No data available (no included studies) | NR | No studies |
Antimicrobial mouthwash and/or nasal spray (alone or in combination), any concentration, frequency or dosage vs No treatment, saline, or water Other adverse events (allergy, irritation/burning of nasal, oral or oropharyngeal mucosa, long-term staining of mucous membranes or teeth, accidental ingestion) · 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 studies | No studies |
Any antimicrobial mouthwash and/or nasal spray (alone or in combination), at any concentration, delivered to healthcare workers, with or without the same intervention given to the patients with COVID-19 vs No treatment or saline or water Changes in microbiome in oral cavity, nasal cavity, oro- or nasopharynx · Healthcare workers (HCWs) treating patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection Use of antimicrobial mouthwashes (gargling) and nasal sprays by healthcare workers to protect them when… (2020) · Cochrane | No data available (no included studies) | 0 studies | No studies |
Antimicrobial mouthwash and/or nasal spray (alone or in combination), any concentration, frequency or dosage vs No treatment, saline, or water Incidence of symptomatic or test-positive COVID-19 infection in healthcare workers · Patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection · Minimum 2 weeks Antimicrobial mouthwashes (gargling) and nasal sprays administered to patients with suspected or confirmed… (2020) · Cochrane | No data available (no included studies) | 0 studies | No studies |
Any method, procedure or policy to reduce contaminated aerosols in dental clinics vs Any other method, no treatment or combination of methods Acceptability and feasibility of the intervention to patients and dentists · Dental healthcare providers (dentist, dental surgery assistant, dental hygienist, dental technologist, dental… Interventions to reduce contaminated aerosols produced during dental procedures for preventing infectious… (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Fumigation or fogging vs No fumigation or fogging / standard operatory Outcome NR · Dental healthcare providers (dentist, dental surgery assistant, dental hygienist, dental technologist, dental… Interventions to reduce contaminated aerosols produced during dental procedures for preventing infectious… (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Any antimicrobial mouthwash and/or nasal spray (alone or in combination), at any concentration, delivered to healthcare workers, with or without the same intervention given to the patients with COVID-19 vs No treatment or saline or water Incidence of symptomatic or test-positive COVID-19 infection in HCWs · Healthcare workers (HCWs) treating patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection · Minimum 2 weeks Use of antimicrobial mouthwashes (gargling) and nasal sprays by healthcare workers to protect them when… (2020) · Cochrane | No data available (no included studies) | 0 studies | No studies |
Antimicrobial mouthwash and/or nasal spray (alone or in combination), any concentration, frequency or dosage vs No treatment, saline, or water Anosmia (or disturbance in sense of smell) · Patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection · Minimum 2 weeks Antimicrobial mouthwashes (gargling) and nasal sprays administered to patients with suspected or confirmed… (2020) · Cochrane | No data available (no included studies) | 0 studies | No studies |
Any method, procedure or policy to reduce contaminated aerosols in dental clinics vs Any other method, no treatment or combination of methods Reduction in volume of contaminated aerosols in the operative environment · Dental healthcare providers (dentist, dental surgery assistant, dental hygienist, dental technologist, dental… Interventions to reduce contaminated aerosols produced during dental procedures for preventing infectious… (2020) · Cochrane | Reduction in volume of contaminated aerosols in the operative environment: Not reported (row present in all Summary of findings tables) | 0 studies | No studies |
Chlorhexidine (mouthrinse or gel), as part of oral hygiene care vs Placebo or usual care Cost / economic data · Critically ill patients (adults and children) receiving mechanical ventilation in ICU Oral hygiene care for critically ill patients to prevent ventilator‐associated pneumonia (2020) · Cochrane | The outcome of cost was not reported by any study in this comparison. | 0 studies | No studies |
Antimicrobial mouthwash and/or nasal spray (alone or in combination), any concentration, frequency or dosage vs No treatment, saline, or water Change in COVID-19 viral load in patients · 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 studies | No studies |
Antimicrobial mouthwash and/or nasal spray (alone or in combination), any concentration, frequency or dosage vs No treatment, saline, or water RECOVERY trial outcomes (mortality; hospitalisation status; use of ventilation; use of renal dialysis or haemofiltration) · Patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection · Minimum 2 weeks Antimicrobial mouthwashes (gargling) and nasal sprays administered to patients with suspected or confirmed… (2020) · Cochrane | No data available (no included studies) | 0 studies | No studies |
Any antimicrobial mouthwash and/or nasal spray (alone or in combination), at any concentration, delivered to healthcare workers, with or without the same intervention given to the patients with COVID-19 vs No treatment or saline or water Other adverse events: allergy, irritation/burning of nasal, oral or oropharyngeal mucosa, long-term staining of mucous membranes or teeth, accidental ingestion · Healthcare workers (HCWs) treating patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection Use of antimicrobial mouthwashes (gargling) and nasal sprays by healthcare workers to protect them when… (2020) · Cochrane | No data available (no included studies) | 0 studies | No studies |
Toothbrushing (with or without antiseptics), as part of oral hygiene care vs No toothbrushing (with or without antiseptics) Cost / economic data · Critically ill adults receiving mechanical ventilation in ICU Oral hygiene care for critically ill patients to prevent ventilator‐associated pneumonia (2020) · Cochrane | The outcome of cost was not reported by any study in this comparison. | 0 studies | No studies |
Ionisation (ionic air purifier) vs No ionisation / standard operatory Outcome NR · Dental healthcare providers (dentist, dental surgery assistant, dental hygienist, dental technologist, dental… Interventions to reduce contaminated aerosols produced during dental procedures for preventing infectious… (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Any method, procedure or policy to reduce contaminated aerosols in dental clinics vs Any other method, no treatment or combination of methods Incidence of infection of dental staff or patients · Dental healthcare providers (dentist, dental surgery assistant, dental hygienist, dental technologist, dental… Interventions to reduce contaminated aerosols produced during dental procedures for preventing infectious… (2020) · Cochrane | Rate of infection of dental staff or patients: Not reported (row present in all Summary of findings tables) | 0 studies | No 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 studies | No 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) | NR | No 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 studies | No 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 Quality of life changes or long-term, patient-centred outcomes (e.g. tooth retention) · 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 quality of life changes or long-term, patient-centred outcomes as formal outcomes; some studies commented on quality of life only in the discussion or conclusion sections. | 0 studies | No studies |
Self-management (self-administered/self-monitored OHA) vs Professional OHA Dental caries · Children or adults (fit and healthy, or with a well-defined medical condition) One‐to‐one oral hygiene advice provided in a dental setting for oral health (2018) · Cochrane | No studies were found that looked at dental caries. | 0 studies | No studies |
Oral health education (advice and training) vs Standard care (oral health advice not specifically emphasised beyond usual care) Service use: Emergency medical/dental treatment · People with serious mental illness (all included participants had schizophrenia); majority aged 18 to 65 years per… Oral health education (advice and training) for people with serious mental illness (2016) · Cochrane | No study reported useable data | 0 studies | No studies |
Monitoring (any means of observation, supervision, keeping under review, measuring or testing at intervals) vs No monitoring Oral health: Not brushing teeth twice a day · People with serious mental illness (all included participants had schizophrenia); majority aged 18 to 65 years per… Oral health education (advice and training) for people with serious mental illness (2016) · Cochrane | No study reported useable data | 0 studies | No studies |
Oral health education (advice and training) vs Standard care (oral health advice not specifically emphasised beyond usual care) Oral health: Not brushing teeth twice a day · People with serious mental illness (all included participants had schizophrenia); majority aged 18 to 65 years per… Oral health education (advice and training) for people with serious mental illness (2016) · Cochrane | No study reported useable data | 0 studies | No studies |
Motivational interview plus oral health education vs Oral health education Quality of life: Chronic pain · People with serious mental illness (all included participants had schizophrenia); majority aged 18 to 65 years per… Oral health education (advice and training) for people with serious mental illness (2016) · Cochrane | No study reported useable data | 0 studies | No studies |