What do systematic reviews say?

Primary school-based interventions (one or more of: school health policy, oral health education, healthy school environment, access to oral health services, community involvement) vs usual practice

The effect of school-based interventions on gingival scores is uncertain and not statistically significant (SMD 0.12; very low certainty).

• Effectiveness of primary school-based interventions in improving oral health of children in low- and middle-income… 2022 All outcomes

  Post-intervention; follow-up varied across studies (interventions ranged from <2 years to >=2 years and longer) · Primary schools in low- and middle-income countries (Southeast Asia, Africa, the Americas, Europe, eastern Mediterranean)
  SMD 0.12 [-0.32, 0.55]
  3 studies · 1573 participants
  Very low

Primary school-based interventions (one or more of: school health policy, oral health education, healthy school environment, access to oral health services, community involvement) vs usual practice

Among children aged 6-8 years, DMFT scores were significantly reduced (SMD -0.11); subgroup not separately GRADE-rated.

• Effectiveness of primary school-based interventions in improving oral health of children in low- and middle-income… 2022 All outcomes

  Post-intervention; follow-up varied across studies (interventions ranged from <2 years to >=2 years and longer) · Primary schools in low- and middle-income countries (Southeast Asia, Africa, the Americas, Europe, eastern Mediterranean) · Age 6-8 years
  SMD -0.11 [-0.17, -0.04]
  Studies not reported
  GRADE not reported
• Effectiveness of primary school-based interventions in improving oral health of children in low- and middle-income… 2022 All outcomes

  Post-intervention; follow-up varied across studies (interventions ranged from <2 years to >=2 years and longer) · Primary schools in low- and middle-income countries (Southeast Asia, Africa, the Americas, Europe, eastern Mediterranean) · <=3 intervention activities
  SMD -0.58 [-1.62, 0.45]
  Studies not reported
  GRADE not reported
• Effectiveness of primary school-based interventions in improving oral health of children in low- and middle-income… 2022 All outcomes

  <2 years · Primary schools in low- and middle-income countries (Southeast Asia, Africa, the Americas, Europe, eastern Mediterranean) · Intervention duration <2 years
  SMD 0.01 [-0.16, 0.18]
  3 studies
  GRADE not reported

Primary school-based interventions (one or more of: school health policy, oral health education, healthy school environment, access to oral health services, community involvement) vs usual practice

Oral-health-education interventions significantly reduced net increment in DMFS (SMD -1.05); no significant subgroup difference vs other interventions (P=0.74).

• Effectiveness of primary school-based interventions in improving oral health of children in low- and middle-income… 2022 All outcomes

  Post-intervention; follow-up varied across studies (interventions ranged from <2 years to >=2 years and longer) · Primary schools in low- and middle-income countries (Southeast Asia, Africa, the Americas, Europe, eastern Mediterranean) · Intervention type: oral health education
  SMD -1.05 [-2.03, -0.08]
  3 studies
  GRADE not reported
• Effectiveness of primary school-based interventions in improving oral health of children in low- and middle-income… 2022 All outcomes

  Post-intervention; follow-up varied across studies (interventions ranged from <2 years to >=2 years and longer) · Primary schools in low- and middle-income countries (Southeast Asia, Africa, the Americas, Europe, eastern Mediterranean) · WHO health-promoting-schools framework
  SMD -0.57 [-1.56, 0.42]
  2 studies
  GRADE not reported
• Effectiveness of primary school-based interventions in improving oral health of children in low- and middle-income… 2022 All outcomes

  Post-intervention; follow-up varied across studies (interventions ranged from <2 years to >=2 years and longer) · Primary schools in low- and middle-income countries (Southeast Asia, Africa, the Americas, Europe, eastern Mediterranean) · Non-WHO-framework interventions
  SMD -1.88 [-3.15, -0.60]
  Studies not reported
  GRADE not reported

Primary school-based interventions (one or more of: school health policy, oral health education, healthy school environment, access to oral health services, community involvement) vs usual practice

School-based interventions may reduce the prevalence of dental caries (RR 0.70, favouring intervention), but the certainty of evidence is very low.

• Effectiveness of primary school-based interventions in improving oral health of children in low- and middle-income… 2022 All outcomes

  Post-intervention; follow-up varied across studies (interventions ranged from <2 years to >=2 years and longer) · Primary schools in low- and middle-income countries (Southeast Asia, Africa, the Americas, Europe, eastern Mediterranean)
  RR 0.70 [0.53, 0.94]
  4 studies · 2968 participants
  Very low
• Effectiveness of primary school-based interventions in improving oral health of children in low- and middle-income… 2022 All outcomes

  <2 years · Primary schools in low- and middle-income countries (Southeast Asia, Africa, the Americas, Europe, eastern Mediterranean) · Intervention duration <2 years
  RR 0.95 [0.75, 1.21]
  2 studies
  GRADE not reported
• Effectiveness of primary school-based interventions in improving oral health of children in low- and middle-income… 2022 All outcomes

  >=2 years · Primary schools in low- and middle-income countries (Southeast Asia, Africa, the Americas, Europe, eastern Mediterranean) · Intervention duration >=2 years
  RR 0.58 [0.40, 0.84]
  2 studies
  GRADE not reported

Primary school-based interventions (one or more of: school health policy, oral health education, healthy school environment, access to oral health services, community involvement) vs usual practice

Among children aged 5-8 years, net increment in DMFT was not significantly reduced (SMD -0.36); no significant subgroup difference by age.

• Effectiveness of primary school-based interventions in improving oral health of children in low- and middle-income… 2022 All outcomes

  Post-intervention; follow-up varied across studies (interventions ranged from <2 years to >=2 years and longer) · Primary schools in low- and middle-income countries (Southeast Asia, Africa, the Americas, Europe, eastern Mediterranean) · Age 5-8 years
  SMD -0.36 [-0.76, 0.04]
  5 studies
  GRADE not reported
• Effectiveness of primary school-based interventions in improving oral health of children in low- and middle-income… 2022 All outcomes

  Post-intervention; follow-up varied across studies (interventions ranged from <2 years to >=2 years and longer) · Primary schools in low- and middle-income countries (Southeast Asia, Africa, the Americas, Europe, eastern Mediterranean)
  SMD -0.34 [-0.69, 0.02]
  5 studies · 5492 participants
  Very low
• Effectiveness of primary school-based interventions in improving oral health of children in low- and middle-income… 2022 All outcomes

  Post-intervention; follow-up varied across studies (interventions ranged from <2 years to >=2 years and longer) · Primary schools in low- and middle-income countries (Southeast Asia, Africa, the Americas, Europe, eastern Mediterranean) · Age 9-12 years
  SMD -0.20 [-0.44, 0.04]
  1 study
  GRADE not reported

Psychological / counselling interventions (counselling, acupuncture, cognitive behavioural therapy, relaxation therapy, behaviour modification, electromyographic biofeedback, hypnosis, re-education) vs Another intervention, or no intervention

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Interventions for iatrogenic inferior alveolar and lingual nerve injury 2014 · Cochrane All outcomes
  Results: 'No studies evaluated ... psychological interventions.' No eligible RCT of psychological / counselling interventions (CBT, relaxation, behaviour modification, biofeedback, hypnosis, re-education, acupuncture).
  0 studies
  No studies found

Any method, procedure or policy to reduce contaminated aerosols in dental clinics vs Any other method, no treatment or combination of methods

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Interventions to reduce contaminated aerosols produced during dental procedures for preventing infectious diseases 2020 · Cochrane All outcomes
  no estimate extracted
  0 studies
  No studies found

Educational intervention with information and practical components (theoretical oral health education plus practical skills training) for nursing staff and/or residents vs (Optimised) usual care

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Oral health educational interventions for nursing home staff and residents 2016 · Cochrane All outcomes
  None of the included studies assessed adverse effects of the intervention.
  0 studies
  No studies found

Transbuccal miniplate combined with intraoral approach vs Intraoral approach alone

Transbuccal miniplate combined with intraoral approach led to lower requirement for additional (surgical) interventions (plate removal… compared with intraoral approach alone; GRADE not reported.

• Interventions for the management of mandibular fractures 2013 · Cochrane All outcomes

  90 days · Angle of mandible only
  RR 0.57 [0.33, 0.98]
  1 study · 140 participants
  GRADE not reported

3-dimensional (3D) miniplates vs Standard (Champy) plates

3-dimensional (3D) miniplates led to lower requirement for additional (surgical) interventions (post-operative… compared with standard (Champy) plates; GRADE not reported.

• Interventions for the management of mandibular fractures 2013 · Cochrane All outcomes
  RR 0.47 [0.25, 0.88]
  1 study · 50 participants
  GRADE not reported

Two miniplates (transbuccal approach) vs One miniplate plus two screws (intraoral approach at external oblique ridge)

Two miniplates (transbuccal approach) showed no clear difference in requirement for additional (surgical) interventions (plate removal) compared with one miniplate plus two screws (intraoral approach at external…; GRADE not reported.

• Interventions for the management of mandibular fractures 2013 · Cochrane All outcomes

  Angle of mandible only
  RR 0.78 [0.19, 3.11]
  2 studies
  GRADE not reported

2 mm titanium plates vs 2.5 mm bioresorbable plates

• Interventions for the management of mandibular fractures 2013 · Cochrane All outcomes
  Plate removal was statistically more likely in the titanium group (Fisher's exact P<0.05); infection led to plate removal in one titanium participant at 2 months and a further 4/21 (19%) titanium participants (six…
  1 study
  GRADE not reported

Locking plate vs 2 mm non-locking titanium plates

• Interventions for the management of mandibular fractures 2013 · Cochrane All outcomes
  Only Collins 2004 provided data: 6/122 participants had minor complications (three in each group); five required surgical removal of the locking plates and one post-operative malocclusion was managed with elastic…
  1 study · 122 participants
  GRADE not reported

Immediate mobilization vs 2 weeks delayed mobilization (IMF)

• Interventions for the management of mandibular fractures 2013 · Cochrane All outcomes
  In the IMF (delayed) group, one participant (7.7%) had a wound infection and plate exposure leading to plate removal 4 months post-operatively.
  1 study
  GRADE not reported

Orthodontic treatment with appliances inducing stable, permanent orthodontic tooth movement (splints worn 8 to 12 weeks and surgical interventions excluded) vs Control: no treatment, placebo, or reassurance

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Orthodontics for treating temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders 2010 · Cochrane All outcomes

  At least 6 months after the intervention
  no estimate extracted
  0 studies
  No studies found

Orthodontic treatment with appliances inducing stable, permanent orthodontic tooth movement (splints worn 8 to 12 weeks and surgical interventions excluded) vs Control: no treatment, placebo, or reassurance

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Orthodontics for treating temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders 2010 · Cochrane All outcomes

  At least 6 months after the intervention
  no estimate extracted
  0 studies
  No studies found

Orthodontic treatment with appliances inducing stable, permanent orthodontic tooth movement (splints worn 8 to 12 weeks and surgical interventions excluded) vs Control: no treatment, placebo, or reassurance

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Orthodontics for treating temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders 2010 · Cochrane All outcomes

  At least 6 months after the intervention
  no estimate extracted
  0 studies
  No studies found

Orthodontic treatment with appliances inducing stable, permanent orthodontic tooth movement (splints worn 8 to 12 weeks and surgical interventions excluded) vs Control: no treatment, placebo, or reassurance

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Orthodontics for treating temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders 2010 · Cochrane All outcomes

  Follow-up period extended into adulthood
  no estimate extracted
  0 studies
  No studies found

Orthodontic treatment with appliances inducing stable, permanent orthodontic tooth movement (splints worn 8 to 12 weeks and surgical interventions excluded) vs Control: no treatment, placebo, or reassurance

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Orthodontics for treating temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders 2010 · Cochrane All outcomes

  At least 6 months after the intervention
  no estimate extracted
  0 studies
  No studies found

Professional oral care vs Usual oral care

• Oral care measures for preventing nursing home‐acquired pneumonia 2022 · Cochrane All outcomes
  Measured in only 1 study (834 participants), which reported no serious events and 64 non-serious events, the most common of which were oral cavity disturbances (not defined) and dental staining.
  1 study · 834 participants
  GRADE not reported