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Each row is one question a systematic review asked: who, what, compared with what, and which outcome, with the effect it found and how certain that is. Every word you type has to appear somewhere in the question, and the closest matches are ranked first.
5,762 questions in 263 reviews · Dental caries
current versionsNo studies 321 · 5.6%Ungraded 4,450 · 77.2%Very low 455 · 7.9%Low 297 · 5.2%Moderate 200 · 3.5%High 39 · 0.7%
Ungraded means an effect was reported without a GRADE rating; it is not a gap. No studies means the review found nothing to answer the question. The six categories are a display order, not a score.
| Question | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
COE with blood/salivary (biomarker) analysis vs COE with light-based detection (e.g. ViziLite Plus, Microlux/DL, VELscope, Identafi 3000) Outcome NR · Apparently healthy adults not reporting symptoms of OPMD or OSCC, attending an organised screening or surveillance… Clinical assessment for the detection of oral cavity cancer and potentially malignant disorders in… (2021) · Cochrane | No eligible studies; planned comparative analysis (COE with light-based detection vs COE with blood/salivary analysis) not populated in this version. | 0 studies | No studies |
Resin infiltration (Icon) vs Non-invasive treatment Radiographic proximal caries lesion progression · Patients with non-cavitated proximal caries lesions · Longest available follow-up, Caries risk: moderate Infiltration and sealing for managing non-cavitated proximal lesions: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (2021) | OR 0.32 [0.01, 8.27] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Digital bitewing radiography, sensor-based (CCD/CMOS) vs Histological validation of dental tissues (gold standard) Diagnostic accuracy for proximal caries detection (dentin detection level) · Extracted permanent posterior teeth with proximal surfaces (in vitro) · Dentin detection level Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic studies of proximal surface caries. (2021) | Sensitivity 0.36 [0.30, 0.42] | 4 studies | Ungraded |
Radiographic imaging methods (any: analogue radiographs, digital radiographs, or 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… · Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies), Dentine-caries (D3) prevalence low <15% (non-CBCT) Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries (2021) · Cochrane | Specificity 0.91 [0.85, 0.95] | NR | Ungraded |
0-19 remaining teeth vs 20-32 remaining teeth Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD)-related events (morbidity and mortality) · Adults (any age) with a known number of remaining teeth, followed prospectively in cohort studies · Adjusted for age/sex Lower Number of Teeth Is Related to Higher Risks for ACVD and Death-Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses of… (2021) | HR 1.29 [1.08, 1.53] | 3 studies · 186749 participants | Ungraded |
Radiographic imaging methods (any: analogue radiographs, digital radiographs, or CBCT) vs Reference standard (histology, excavation, or enhanced visual examination) Diagnostic accuracy on restored teeth (secondary caries) · Asymptomatic children, adolescents, or adults presenting for clinical examination (in vivo studies), or extracted… · Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies), Restorations (secondary caries) Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries (2021) · Cochrane | Pre-specified heterogeneity investigation of teeth with previously applied restorations (secondary caries): no study intentionally included restored teeth in its sample. Studies evaluating secondary caries were… | 0 studies | No studies |
Observed population vs Not applicable Mean dmft/DMFT · School children aged 5-7 years in Dubai schools · Overall Oral Health of Children and Adolescents in the United Arab Emirates: A Systematic Review of the Past Decade. (2021) | MEAN 3.87 | 1 study · 1317 participants | Ungraded |
Conventional bitewing radiography, E-speed film vs Direct visual examination after tooth separation or bioptical cavity preparation Diagnostic accuracy for proximal caries detection (dentin detection level) · Patients with permanent posterior teeth, proximal surfaces assessed clinically (in vivo) · Dentin detection level Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic studies of proximal surface caries. (2021) | DOR 4.8 [1.48, 15.48] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Autism spectrum disorder (oral health status and dental-care access) vs Healthy school-aged children (for some measures) Oral health status and oral-care challenges · Children with autism spectrum disorder in the United Arab Emirates (Dubai) Oral Health of Children and Adolescents in the United Arab Emirates: A Systematic Review of the Past Decade. (2021) | Jaber et al. reported dental caries in 77% of children with ASD (mean dmft 2.2 in early mixed dentition), gingivitis in all children (generalized 70.4%), mostly poor oral hygiene (59%), and low met-need/restorative… | 2 studies | Ungraded |
0-19 remaining teeth vs 20-32 remaining teeth All-cause mortality (ACM) · Adults (any age) with a known number of remaining teeth, followed prospectively in cohort studies · Adjusted for age/sex Lower Number of Teeth Is Related to Higher Risks for ACVD and Death-Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses of… (2021) | HR 1.42 [1.15, 1.75] | 5 studies · 212657 participants | Ungraded |
COE with vital rinsing (toluidine blue/tolonium chloride) vs Conventional oral examination (COE) alone Specificity (COE alone arm) · OSCC or OPMD symptom-free individuals with tobacco habits Clinical assessment for the detection of oral cavity cancer and potentially malignant disorders in… (2021) · Cochrane | Specificity 0.92 [0.91, 0.93] | 1 study · 3895 participants | Moderate |
Laser fluorescence (DIAGNOdent 2095) vs Cavity preparation or biopsy (operative validation) Diagnostic accuracy for occlusal caries detection at the dentin caries detection level (D0-2 versus D3-4) · Human permanent posterior teeth (premolars and molars) in patients, occlusal (pit-and-fissure) surfaces Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic methods for occlusal surface caries. (2021) | Sensitivity 0.91 [0.86, 0.95] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Autism spectrum disorder vs Not applicable Dental caries prevalence · Autistic children and young adults in Dubai · Overall Oral Health of Children and Adolescents in the United Arab Emirates: A Systematic Review of the Past Decade. (2021) | Prevalence 77 | 1 study | Ungraded |
Induction chemotherapy plus locoregional treatment (radiotherapy and/or surgery) vs Locoregional treatment (radiotherapy and/or surgery) alone Overall survival, induction cisplatin + 5-fluorouracil prior to concurrent chemoradiation (cisplatin) vs concurrent chemoradiation (cisplatin) · People receiving curative-intent treatment for oral cavity and oropharyngeal (squamous cell) cancer Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: chemotherapy (2021) · Cochrane | HR 0.71 [0.37, 1.35] | 2 studies · 389 participants | Low |
Conventional bitewing radiography, D-speed film vs Histological validation of dental tissues (gold standard) Diagnostic accuracy for proximal caries detection (caries detection level) · Extracted permanent posterior teeth with proximal surfaces (in vitro) · Caries detection level Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic studies of proximal surface caries. (2021) | Specificity 0.96 [0.91, 0.99] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Dental caries assessment (clinical examination; WHO/BASCD/EAPD criteria) vs None (descriptive prevalence review) Dental caries prevalence · Healthy children and adolescents (preschool, school-aged and secondary) in the United Arab Emirates Oral Health of Children and Adolescents in the United Arab Emirates: A Systematic Review of the Past Decade. (2021) | Dental caries prevalence ranged from 22% in public day cares in Sharjah to 99.4% in children attending a pediatric dentistry department in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi across cross-sectional studies; most studies used WHO… | NR | Ungraded |
Intervention NR Dental caries prevalence · General population (children and adults) in East Africa · Mixed dentition (6-12 years) Prevalence of Dental Caries and Associated Factors in East Africa, 2000-2020: Systematic Review and… (2021) | Prevalence 0.413 [0.335, 0.492] | NR | Ungraded |
Low socioeconomic-class school vs High socioeconomic-class school Mean DMFT · School children in Dubai governmental schools · Low socioeconomic-class schools Oral Health of Children and Adolescents in the United Arab Emirates: A Systematic Review of the Past Decade. (2021) | MEAN 2.66 | 1 study · 779 participants | Ungraded |
Maternal smoking during pregnancy vs No maternal smoking during pregnancy Dental caries · Children · Study region: Asia Correlation Between Maternal Smoking During Pregnancy and Dental Caries in Children: A Systematic Review and… (2021) | OR 1.84 [1.39, 2.45] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Maternal smoking during pregnancy vs No maternal smoking during pregnancy Childhood dental caries · Children in cross-sectional studies · Overall Correlation Between Maternal Smoking During Pregnancy and Dental Caries in Children: A Systematic Review and… (2021) | OR 1.57 [1.47, 1.67] | 6 studies | Ungraded |
Observed population vs Not applicable Dental information from educational programs · Mothers of preschool children in Sharjah · Overall Oral Health of Children and Adolescents in the United Arab Emirates: A Systematic Review of the Past Decade. (2021) | Prevalence 13 | 1 study | Ungraded |
Observed population vs Not applicable Tooth wear prevalence · School children aged 2.6-6.8 years in Abu Dhabi · Overall Oral Health of Children and Adolescents in the United Arab Emirates: A Systematic Review of the Past Decade. (2021) | Prevalence 97.6 | 1 study · 506 participants | Ungraded |
Intervention NR Mean DMFT (decayed, missing, filled permanent teeth) · Individuals with permanent dentition in East Africa Prevalence of Dental Caries and Associated Factors in East Africa, 2000-2020: Systematic Review and… (2021) | MEAN 1.941 [1.561, 2.322] | 26 studies | Ungraded |
TaqI (rs731236 T>C) polymorphism in the VDR gene (C allele / variant genotype) vs CT genotype vs TT genotype (heterozygous model) Dental caries susceptibility (risk of dental caries) · Children and adults (no age limit) assessed for dental caries susceptibility · Ethnicity: Asian Association Between the TaqI (rs731236 T>C) Gene Polymorphism and Dental Caries Risk: A Meta-analysis. (2021) | OR 1.67 [0.96, 2.90] | 5 studies · 1932 participants | Ungraded |
Laser fluorescence (DIAGNOdent 2095) vs Cavity preparation or biopsy (operative validation) Diagnostic accuracy for occlusal caries detection at the caries detection level (D0 versus D1-D4) · Human permanent posterior teeth (premolars and molars) in patients, occlusal (pit-and-fissure) surfaces Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic methods for occlusal surface caries. (2021) | AUC 0.88 | 1 study | Ungraded |
Mouth self-examination (MSE) vs Reference standard: examination and clinical evaluation by a physician/clinician with specialist knowledge or training (long-term follow-up accepted for those screened negative) Specificity for detection of oral cavity cancer/OPMD · Apparently healthy adults not reporting symptoms of OPMD or OSCC, attending an organised screening or surveillance… Clinical assessment for the detection of oral cavity cancer and potentially malignant disorders in… (2021) · Cochrane | Summary of findings 2 (no pooled analysis): specificity 1.00 (95% CI 1.00 to 1.00), 0.95 (95% CI 0.88 to 0.99), 0.44 (95% CI 0.20 to 0.70), and 0.54 (95% CI 0.37 to 0.69) across the 4 studies. Certainty VERY LOW. | 4 studies · 35059 participants | Very low |
Cerebral palsy vs Healthy age- and sex-matched controls Gingivitis prevalence · Children with cerebral palsy in Dubai · Overall Oral Health of Children and Adolescents in the United Arab Emirates: A Systematic Review of the Past Decade. (2021) | Prevalence 58.8 | 1 study | Ungraded |
Conventional bitewing radiography (D-speed film) vs Histological validation (serial sectioning, grinding, hemisection, or microradiography) Diagnostic accuracy for occlusal caries detection at the dentin caries detection level (D0-2 versus D3-4) · Extracted human permanent posterior teeth (premolars and molars), occlusal (pit-and-fissure) surfaces Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic methods for occlusal surface caries. (2021) | DOR 1.94 [0.46, 8.17] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Female sex vs Male sex Dental caries (presence) · Individuals in East Africa assessed for dental caries Prevalence of Dental Caries and Associated Factors in East Africa, 2000-2020: Systematic Review and… (2021) | OR 1.333 [1.129, 1.575] | 12 studies · 5391 participants | Ungraded |
Clear aligners (Invisalign / thermoformed aligners) vs Fixed appliances Simplified plaque index (s-PI) · Adolescents/teenagers undergoing orthodontic treatment · 1 month, Adolescents Impact of Aligners and Fixed Appliances on Oral Health during Orthodontic Treatment: A Systematic Review and… (2021) | MD -14.78 [-16.74, -12.82] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Visual examination (VE) vs Histological validation of dental tissues (gold standard) Diagnostic accuracy for proximal caries detection (1/3 dentin detection level) · Extracted permanent posterior teeth with proximal surfaces (in vitro) · 1/3 dentin detection level Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic studies of proximal surface caries. (2021) | Sensitivity 0.93 [0.77, 0.98] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Laser fluorescence (DIAGNOdent 2095) vs Histological validation (serial sectioning, grinding, hemisection, or microradiography) Diagnostic accuracy for occlusal caries detection at the caries detection level (D0 versus D1-D4) · Extracted human permanent posterior teeth (premolars and molars), occlusal (pit-and-fissure) surfaces Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic methods for occlusal surface caries. (2021) | Specificity 0.76 [0.60, 0.87] | 6 studies | Ungraded |
Edentulous (0 remaining teeth) vs 20-32 remaining teeth All-cause mortality (ACM) · Adults (any age) with a known number of remaining teeth, followed prospectively in cohort studies Lower Number of Teeth Is Related to Higher Risks for ACVD and Death-Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses of… (2021) | RR 2.27 [1.82, 2.83] | 8 studies · 180222 participants | High |
Visual or visual-tactile classification systems (any system: ICDAS, ERK, Nyvad, Downer, Lussi, UniViSS, or unspecified) vs Reference standard (histology, excavation, radiographs/microCT, or tooth separation) Specificity for detection of enamel caries · Asymptomatic children or adults presenting for clinical examination (in vivo studies), or extracted teeth of children… · Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies), Medium prevalence of dentine caries (15% to 34%) Visual or visual‐tactile examination to detect and inform the diagnosis of enamel caries (2021) · Cochrane | Specificity 0.80 [0.71, 0.86] | NR | Ungraded |
Systemic sclerosis (SSc / scleroderma) vs SSc-free individuals (controls) Number of missing teeth · Adults (general and hospital populations assessed in case-control studies) Oral manifestations of patients with systemic sclerosis: a meta-analysis for case-controlled studies. (2021) | SMD 0.546 [-0.148, 1.241] | 4 studies | Ungraded |
Sealing using sealant materials vs Non-selective carious tissue removal and conventional restoration (CR) Lesion progression · Children and/or adults with permanent or primary teeth, vital (sensitive) pulps, and cavitated or dentine carious… · Non-cavitated lesions, primary dentition Interventions for treating cavitated or dentine carious lesions (2021) · Cochrane | Lesion progression reported narratively: Borges 2012a found 3/26 sealed lesions progressed after 1 year (split-mouth); not pooled and not GRADE-rated. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Conventional oral examination (COE)/visual inspection vs Reference standard: examination and clinical evaluation by a physician/clinician with specialist knowledge or training (long-term follow-up accepted for those screened negative) Specificity for detection of oral cavity cancer/OPMD · Apparently healthy adults not reporting symptoms of OPMD or OSCC, attending an organised screening or surveillance… Clinical assessment for the detection of oral cavity cancer and potentially malignant disorders in… (2021) · Cochrane | Summary of findings 1 (no pooled analysis): for the 7 low-prevalence studies specificity ranged from 0.94 (95% CI 0.88 to 0.97) to 0.99 (95% CI 0.98 to 1.00); for the 3 higher-prevalence studies specificity ranged from… | 10 studies · 25568 participants | Low |
Conventional bitewing radiography (F-speed film) vs Histological validation (serial sectioning, grinding, hemisection, or microradiography) Diagnostic accuracy for occlusal caries detection at the dentin caries detection level (D0-2 versus D3-4) · Extracted human permanent posterior teeth (premolars and molars), occlusal (pit-and-fissure) surfaces Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic methods for occlusal surface caries. (2021) | AUC 0.82 | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Visual examination (VE) vs Histological validation of dental tissues (gold standard) Diagnostic accuracy for proximal caries detection (dentin detection level) · Extracted permanent posterior teeth with proximal surfaces (in vitro) · Dentin detection level Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic studies of proximal surface caries. (2021) | DOR 13.26 [1.44, 122.51] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Intervention NR Mean dmft · Non-Emirati children (Elamin) Oral Health of Children and Adolescents in the United Arab Emirates: A Systematic Review of the Past Decade. (2021) | Mean(SD) 0.75 (1.8) | 1 study | Ungraded |
Intervention NR Dental caries prevalence · Sensitivity analysis (leave-one-out minimum) Prevalence of Dental Caries and Associated Factors in East Africa, 2000-2020: Systematic Review and… (2021) | Prevalence 0.447 [0.384, 0.510] | 43 studies | Ungraded |
Intervention NR Dental caries prevalence · Trim-and-fill adjusted (publication-bias correction) Dental caries and associated factors in Ethiopia: systematic review and meta-analysis. (2021) | Prevalence 0.40984 [0.31623, 0.50344] | 13 studies | Ungraded |
Visual examination (VE) vs Cavity preparation or biopsy (operative validation) Diagnostic accuracy for occlusal caries detection at the caries detection level (D0 versus D1-D4) · Human permanent posterior teeth (premolars and molars) in patients, occlusal (pit-and-fissure) surfaces Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic methods for occlusal surface caries. (2021) | DOR 2.14 [0.73, 6.28] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Intervention NR Dental caries prevalence · Uganda Prevalence of Dental Caries and Associated Factors in East Africa, 2000-2020: Systematic Review and… (2021) | Prevalence 0.498 [0.348, 0.648] | 8 studies | Ungraded |
Beta-thalassemia major vs Healthy Emirati children Mean DMFT · Children with beta-thalassemia major in Dubai · Children with beta-thalassemia major Oral Health of Children and Adolescents in the United Arab Emirates: A Systematic Review of the Past Decade. (2021) | MEAN 1.49 | 1 study | Ungraded |
TaqI (rs731236 T>C) polymorphism in the VDR gene (C allele / variant genotype) vs C allele vs T allele (allele contrast model) Dental caries susceptibility (risk of dental caries) · Children and adults (no age limit) assessed for dental caries susceptibility · Ethnicity: Asian Association Between the TaqI (rs731236 T>C) Gene Polymorphism and Dental Caries Risk: A Meta-analysis. (2021) | OR 1.28 [1.06, 1.54] | 5 studies · 1932 participants | Ungraded |
Radiographic imaging methods (any: analogue radiographs, digital radiographs, or CBCT) 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… · Up to 3 months between index test and reference standard (in vivo studies), Sensitivity analysis: low dentine-caries prevalence <15% Imaging modalities to inform the detection and diagnosis of early caries (2021) · Cochrane | Sensitivity 0.34 [0.25, 0.45] | NR | Ungraded |
Early childhood caries (ECC) vs ECC-free children (caries-free controls) Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) level · Preschool children (<6 years) · Overall Iron deficiency and early childhood caries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (2021) | WMD -3.72 [-6.65, -0.79] | 5 studies · 924 participants | Ungraded |
Direct composite resin restoration vs Amalgam restoration Harms: injury · People with permanent or adult posterior teeth requiring restoration (parallel-group trials involved children aged 6… Direct composite resin fillings versus amalgam fillings for permanent posterior teeth (2021) · Cochrane | We did not find any eligible studies that evaluated allergic reaction or injury (no studies reported on outcomes of relevance to injury). | 0 studies | No studies |
Dental visit because of a problem vs No dental visit in previous year Severe early childhood caries · Children aged 5-6 years in Ajman schools · Overall Oral Health of Children and Adolescents in the United Arab Emirates: A Systematic Review of the Past Decade. (2021) | OR 1.92 [1.49, 2.49] | 1 study · 1036 participants | Ungraded |