Visual caries detection (ICDAS visual/visual-tactile inspection) vs Reference standard (histological validation or cavity/lesion opening; advanced = cavitated/dentin-involved lesions, all = enamel-confined initial lesions also counted)
Positive LR for detecting advanced occlusal caries · Occlusal surfaces of permanent molars (demonstrated in 12-14 year-olds; underlying diagnostic accuracy studies, mostly in vitro)
In the conventional (all-studies) meta-analysis, the positive lr of visual detection for advanced occlusal caries was 7.09 (95% CI 5.6 to 8.9) (ungraded).
3 findings from 1 review
- Visual and radiographic caries detection: a tailored meta-analysis for two different settings, Egypt and Germany. 2018 All outcomesConventional meta-analysis (all studies)Positive LR 7.09 [5.6, 8.9]94 studiesGRADE not reported
- Visual and radiographic caries detection: a tailored meta-analysis for two different settings, Egypt and Germany. 2018 All outcomesPublic health clinic, Giza (Cairo), Egypt · Tailored to EgyptPositive LR 5.0 [4.3, 5.8]55 studiesGRADE not reported
- Visual and radiographic caries detection: a tailored meta-analysis for two different settings, Egypt and Germany. 2018 All outcomesPrivate practice, rural northern Germany · Tailored to GermanyPositive LR 12.5 [9.2, 16.9]50 studiesGRADE not reported