What do systematic reviews say?

Cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) vs No cleft lip and/or palate (non-CL/P)

In the combined primary and mixed dentition, there was no evidence of a difference in caries experience between children with and without CL/P (SMD 0.09, 95% CI -0.59-0.76; 5 studies; ungraded).

• Caries in children with and without orofacial clefting: A systematic review and meta-analysis. 2022 All outcomes

  Children with CL/P and comparable non-CL/P children across 12 countries (India, Brazil, China, Sweden, UK, USA, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Netherlands, Jordan, Thailand); studies published 1989-2021 · Primary and mixed dentition
  SMD 0.09 [-0.59, 0.76]
  5 studies · 708 participants
  GRADE not reported
• Caries in children with and without orofacial clefting: A systematic review and meta-analysis. 2022 All outcomes

  Children with CL/P and comparable non-CL/P children across 12 countries (India, Brazil, China, Sweden, UK, USA, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Netherlands, Jordan, Thailand); studies published 1989-2021 · Mixed dentition
  SMD 1.74 [0.24, 3.25]
  4 studies · 789 participants
  GRADE not reported
• Caries in children with and without orofacial clefting: A systematic review and meta-analysis. 2022 All outcomes

  Children with CL/P and comparable non-CL/P children across 12 countries (India, Brazil, China, Sweden, UK, USA, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Netherlands, Jordan, Thailand); studies published 1989-2021 · Primary dentition
  SMD 0.27 [0.06, 0.49]
  10 studies · 2366 participants
  GRADE not reported