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)
Sensitivity for detecting all (initial and advanced) occlusal caries · Occlusal surfaces of permanent molars (demonstrated in 12-14 year-olds; underlying diagnostic accuracy studies, mostly in vitro)
In the meta-analysis tailored to Germany, pooled sensitivity of visual detection for all (initial and advanced) occlusal caries was 49.1% (95% CI 40 to 58) (ungraded).
3 findings from 1 review
- 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 GermanySensitivity 49.1 [40, 58]12 studiesGRADE not reported
- Visual and radiographic caries detection: a tailored meta-analysis for two different settings, Egypt and Germany. 2018 All outcomesConventional meta-analysis (all studies)Sensitivity 85.5 [81, 89]67 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 EgyptSensitivity 85.8 [82, 89]51 studiesGRADE not reported