Findings

What do systematic reviews say?

574 questions · 721 findings · 67 reviews · Oral Health

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No studies found 93 · 12.9%GRADE not reported 450 · 62.4%Very low 82 · 11.4%Low 73 · 10.1%Moderate 21 · 2.9%High 2 · 0.3%

Individually designed, patient-centred preventive programme: dietary counselling (snacking timing, regular meals, fermentable carbohydrates) plus toothbrushing counselling, delivered by trained dental hygienists (a multi-intervention) vs Basic prevention offered as standard in public dental clinics

Eating healthy snacks at least twice per day · Children aged 11 to 12 years with at least one active initial caries lesion, screened in a town in Finland

1 finding from 1 review

One‐to‐one dietary interventions undertaken in a dental setting to change dietary behaviour 2012 · Cochrane All outcomes
2 to 4 years
Table 2: 71% (178) versus 68% (168) at follow-up (baseline 69% versus 65%). No significant change.
1 study · 497 participants
GRADE not reported

Individually designed, patient-centred preventive programme: dietary counselling (snacking timing, regular meals, fermentable carbohydrates) plus toothbrushing counselling, delivered by trained dental hygienists (a multi-intervention) vs Basic prevention offered as standard in public dental clinics

Eating warm meals more than twice per day · Children aged 11 to 12 years with at least one active initial caries lesion, screened in a town in Finland

1 finding from 1 review

One‐to‐one dietary interventions undertaken in a dental setting to change dietary behaviour 2012 · Cochrane All outcomes
2 to 4 years
Table 2: 77% (193) versus 81% (200) at follow-up (baseline 83% versus 74%, a significant baseline difference). No significant change at follow-up.
1 study · 497 participants
GRADE not reported

Individually designed, patient-centred preventive programme: dietary counselling (snacking timing, regular meals, fermentable carbohydrates) plus toothbrushing counselling, delivered by trained dental hygienists (a multi-intervention) vs Basic prevention offered as standard in public dental clinics

Drinking sports drinks no more than once per week · Children aged 11 to 12 years with at least one active initial caries lesion, screened in a town in Finland

1 finding from 1 review

One‐to‐one dietary interventions undertaken in a dental setting to change dietary behaviour 2012 · Cochrane All outcomes
2 to 4 years
Table 2: 87% (218) versus 86% (212) at follow-up (baseline 81% versus 87%). No significant change.
1 study · 497 participants
GRADE not reported

Individually designed, patient-centred preventive programme: dietary counselling (snacking timing, regular meals, fermentable carbohydrates) plus toothbrushing counselling, delivered by trained dental hygienists (a multi-intervention) vs Basic prevention offered as standard in public dental clinics

Using xylitol products more than 3 times per day · Children aged 11 to 12 years with at least one active initial caries lesion, screened in a town in Finland

Individually designed, patient-centred preventive programme: dietary… led to higher using xylitol products more than 3 times per day compared with basic prevention offered as standard in public dental clinics; GRADE not reported.

1 finding from 1 review

One‐to‐one dietary interventions undertaken in a dental setting to change dietary behaviour 2012 · Cochrane All outcomes
2 to 4 years
RR 1.32 [1.04, 1.68]
1 study · 497 participants
GRADE not reported

Teledentistry diagnosis using DSLR or smartphone extra-oral photographs vs Visual or clinical examination

Positive predictive value for dental caries diagnosis · Children and adults with primary or permanent dentition

Positive predictive values were reported in 10 of the 13 studies that reported sensitivity and specificity; no meta-analysis or GRADE rating was reported.

1 finding from 1 review

Teledentistry accuracy for caries diagnosis: a systematic review of in-vivo studies using extra-oral photography… 2024 All outcomes
Schools, juvenile detention facility, dental clinics, and hospitals · Overall
no estimate extracted
10 studies
GRADE not reported

Teledentistry diagnosis using DSLR or smartphone extra-oral photographs vs Visual or clinical examination

Negative predictive value for dental caries diagnosis · Children and adults with primary or permanent dentition

Negative predictive values were reported in 10 of the 13 studies that reported sensitivity and specificity; no meta-analysis or GRADE rating was reported.

1 finding from 1 review

Teledentistry accuracy for caries diagnosis: a systematic review of in-vivo studies using extra-oral photography… 2024 All outcomes
Schools, juvenile detention facility, dental clinics, and hospitals · Overall
no estimate extracted
10 studies
GRADE not reported

Probiotics vs placebo or control

Dental caries in children · Children and/or adolescents (<18 years) without background systemic disease

Probiotics probably make little to no difference to the number of dental caries versus control (MD -0.24 carious pieces, 95%CI -0.72 to 0.23; low certainty).

1 finding from 1 review

Efficacy of Probiotic Consumption on Oral Outcomes in Children and/or Adolescents: A Meta-Analysis. 2024 All outcomes
follow-up: mean 26 months · Healthy children and/or adolescents (<18 years) without systemic disease; RCTs from multiple countries (India, Thailand, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Poland, Colombia, Saudi Arabia); mostly school/community and clinic settings · Overall (all presentations pooled)
MD -0.24 [-0.72, 0.23]
6 studies · 1049 participants
Low

Teledentistry diagnosis using DSLR or smartphone extra-oral photographs vs Visual or clinical examination

Sensitivity for dental caries diagnosis · Children and adults with primary or permanent dentition

Sensitivity ranged from 48% to 98.3% across 13 studies; no meta-analysis or GRADE rating was reported.

1 finding from 1 review

Teledentistry accuracy for caries diagnosis: a systematic review of in-vivo studies using extra-oral photography… 2024 All outcomes
Schools, juvenile detention facility, dental clinics, and hospitals · Overall
Sensitivity Overall 48% to 98.3% across 13 studies; sensitivity is lesion-stage dependent: Kohara reported <40% for initial/moderate caries (75-100% for extensive) and early enamel lesions were less sensitive
13 studies
GRADE not reported

Teledentistry diagnosis using DSLR or smartphone extra-oral photographs vs Visual or clinical examination

Specificity for dental caries diagnosis · Children and adults with primary or permanent dentition

Specificity ranged from 83% to 100% across 13 studies; no meta-analysis or GRADE rating was reported.

1 finding from 1 review

Teledentistry accuracy for caries diagnosis: a systematic review of in-vivo studies using extra-oral photography… 2024 All outcomes
Schools, juvenile detention facility, dental clinics, and hospitals · Overall
no estimate extracted
13 studies
GRADE not reported

Analogue (conventional) radiographs vs Reference standard (histology, excavation, or enhanced visual examination)

Sensitivity for detection and diagnosis of early (enamel) caries · Asymptomatic children, adolescents, or adults presenting for clinical examination (in vivo studies), or extracted teeth of children or…

1 finding from 1 review

Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies)
Sensitivity 0.44 [0.38, 0.50]
51 studies
GRADE not reported

Radiographic imaging methods (any: analogue radiographs, digital radiographs, or CBCT) vs Reference standard (histology, excavation, or enhanced visual examination)

17 findings from 1 review

Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) · Reference standard: enhanced visual (non-CBCT)
Sensitivity 0.47 [0.29, 0.66]
8 studies
GRADE not reported
Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) · Permanent dentition (non-CBCT)
Sensitivity 0.44 [0.37, 0.51]
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported
Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) · Dentine-caries (D3) prevalence medium 15-34% (non-CBCT)
Sensitivity 0.51 [0.40, 0.61]
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported

Show 14 more findings

Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) · Dentine-caries (D3) prevalence low <15% (non-CBCT)
Sensitivity 0.36 [0.25, 0.47]
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported
Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) · Reference standard: excavation (non-CBCT)
Sensitivity 0.51 [0.27, 0.74]
5 studies
GRADE not reported
Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) · Analogue and digital combined (non-CBCT); 97 datasets
Sensitivity 0.46 [0.40, 0.51]
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported
Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) · Dentine-caries (D3) prevalence high >=35% or unreported (non-CBCT)
Sensitivity 0.50 [0.40, 0.59]
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported
Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) · Sensitivity analysis: low risk of bias for index test
Sensitivity 0.51 [0.43, 0.61]
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported
Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) · Sensitivity analysis: excluding high/unclear risk of bias reference standard
Sensitivity 0.51 [0.45, 0.57]
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported
Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) · Setting: in vivo / clinical (non-CBCT)
Sensitivity 0.56 [0.43, 0.69]
17 studies
GRADE not reported
Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) · Setting: in vitro (non-CBCT)
Sensitivity 0.44 [0.37, 0.50]
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported
Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) · Sensitivity analysis: low dentine-caries prevalence <15%
Sensitivity 0.34 [0.25, 0.45]
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported
Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) · Reference standard: histology (non-CBCT)
Sensitivity 0.46 [0.39, 0.53]
64 studies
GRADE not reported
Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies)
Sensitivity 0.47 [0.40, 0.53]
77 studies
Low
Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) · Occlusal surfaces (non-CBCT)
Sensitivity 0.45 [0.35, 0.54]
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported
Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) · Primary dentition (non-CBCT)
Sensitivity 0.52 [0.40, 0.63]
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported
Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) · Proximal surfaces (non-CBCT)
Sensitivity 0.47 [0.39, 0.55]
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported

Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) vs Reference standard (histology, excavation, or enhanced visual examination)

Specificity for detection and diagnosis of early (enamel) caries · Asymptomatic children, adolescents, or adults presenting for clinical examination (in vivo studies), or extracted teeth of children or…

3 findings from 1 review

Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) · Proximal surfaces (CBCT)
Specificity 0.90 [0.77, 0.96]
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported
Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies)
Specificity 0.81 [0.73, 0.88]
7 studies
GRADE not reported
Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) · Occlusal surfaces (CBCT)
Specificity 0.54 [0.31, 0.75]
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported

Radiographic imaging methods (any: analogue radiographs, digital radiographs, or CBCT) vs Reference standard (histology, excavation, or enhanced visual examination)

17 findings from 1 review

Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) · Permanent dentition (non-CBCT)
Specificity 0.90 [0.85, 0.93]
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported
Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) · Sensitivity analysis: low risk of bias for index test
Specificity 0.88 [0.82, 0.92]
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported
Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) · Dentine-caries (D3) prevalence high >=35% or unreported (non-CBCT)
Specificity 0.89 [0.82, 0.93]
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported

Show 14 more findings

Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) · Setting: in vitro (non-CBCT)
Specificity 0.89 [0.84, 0.92]
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported
Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) · Proximal surfaces (non-CBCT)
Specificity 0.89 [0.84, 0.93]
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported
Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) · Primary dentition (non-CBCT)
Specificity 0.87 [0.77, 0.93]
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported
Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) · Occlusal surfaces (non-CBCT)
Specificity 0.88 [0.80, 0.93]
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported
Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) · Sensitivity analysis: excluding high/unclear risk of bias reference standard
Specificity 0.87 [0.83, 0.90]
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported
Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) · Reference standard: excavation (non-CBCT)
Specificity 0.96 [0.80, 0.99]
5 studies
GRADE not reported
Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) · Dentine-caries (D3) prevalence medium 15-34% (non-CBCT)
Specificity 0.87 [0.78, 0.92]
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported
Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies)
Specificity 0.88 [0.84, 0.92]
77 studies
Low
Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) · Analogue and digital combined (non-CBCT); 97 datasets
Specificity 0.89 [0.86, 0.92]
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported
Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) · Sensitivity analysis: low dentine-caries prevalence <15%
Specificity 0.91 [0.87, 0.94]
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported
Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) · Dentine-caries (D3) prevalence low <15% (non-CBCT)
Specificity 0.91 [0.85, 0.95]
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported
Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) · Setting: in vivo / clinical (non-CBCT)
Specificity 0.89 [0.78, 0.95]
17 studies
GRADE not reported
Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) · Reference standard: enhanced visual (non-CBCT)
Specificity 0.91 [0.77, 0.97]
8 studies
GRADE not reported
Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) · Reference standard: histology (non-CBCT)
Specificity 0.88 [0.83, 0.92]
64 studies
GRADE not reported

Analogue (conventional) radiographs vs Reference standard (histology, excavation, or enhanced visual examination)

1 finding from 1 review

Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies)
Specificity 0.90 [0.86, 0.93]
51 studies
GRADE not reported

Cerebral palsy vs Healthy controls

Dental caries prevalence · Children with cerebral palsy in Dubai

Dental caries prevalence was 53% among children with cerebral palsy.

1 finding from 1 review

Oral Health of Children and Adolescents in the United Arab Emirates: A Systematic Review of the Past Decade. 2021 All outcomes
Overall
Prevalence 53
1 study
GRADE not reported

Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) vs Reference standard (histology, excavation, or enhanced visual examination)

3 findings from 1 review

Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies)
Sensitivity 0.60 [0.51, 0.68]
7 studies
GRADE not reported
Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) · Proximal surfaces (CBCT)
Sensitivity 0.68 [0.42, 0.86]
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported
Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) · Occlusal surfaces (CBCT)
Sensitivity 0.76 [0.55, 0.89]
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported

Down syndrome vs Healthy controls

Dental caries prevalence · Children with Down syndrome in Dubai

Dental caries prevalence was 57.6% in children with Down syndrome and controls.

1 finding from 1 review

Oral Health of Children and Adolescents in the United Arab Emirates: A Systematic Review of the Past Decade. 2021 All outcomes
Children with Down syndrome
Prevalence 57.6
1 study
GRADE not reported

Digital radiographs vs Reference standard (histology, excavation, or enhanced visual examination)

1 finding from 1 review

Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies)
Sensitivity 0.49 [0.42, 0.56]
40 studies
GRADE not reported

Radiographic imaging methods (any: analogue radiographs, digital radiographs, or CBCT) vs Reference standard (histology, excavation, or enhanced visual examination)

Diagnostic accuracy on surfaces with pit and fissure sealants · Asymptomatic children, adolescents, or adults presenting for clinical examination (in vivo studies), or extracted teeth of children or…

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

1 finding from 1 review

Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies) · Pit and fissure sealants
Pre-specified heterogeneity investigation of surfaces with pit and fissure sealants: no study reported the inclusion of sealants that would allow evaluation of early caries lesions.
0 studies
No studies found

Digital radiographs vs Reference standard (histology, excavation, or enhanced visual examination)

1 finding from 1 review

Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies)
Specificity 0.87 [0.82, 0.91]
40 studies
GRADE not reported