Regular use rate · Children or adolescents
One RCT reported a 72.4% regular-use rate with a gamified mobile health app versus 48.3% with a nongamified intervention; no GRADE assessment was reported.
1 finding from 1 review
Regular use rate 72.4% (gamified mobile app) vs 48.3% (nongamified)
1 study · In one study, the regular use rate was significantly higher (72.4%) in the gamified mobile health app group than in the nongamified intervention group (48.3%). participants
GRADE not reported
Change in Mutans streptococci (MS) count in saliva · healthy people
Xylitol significantly reduced Mutans streptococci in saliva compared with no intervention (SMD -1.47, 95% CI -1.94 to -0.99; 3 trials), though heterogeneity was very high (I2=98%); not GRADE-rated.
1 finding from 1 review
Caries arrestment at the surface level · Children and adults without systemic diseases affecting dental health
SDF showed no clear advantage for caries arrestment at the surface level.
1 finding from 1 review
Demineralised lesion depth · Human tooth enamel specimens, sound/intact (in vitro)
Er:YAG laser irradiation significantly reduced demineralised lesion depth versus untreated control (SMD -0.55, 95% CI -0.97 to -0.12; 3 in vitro studies, I2=62%; ungraded).
1 finding from 1 review
Enamel surface microhardness · Human tooth enamel specimens, sound/intact (in vitro)
In sound enamel, Er:YAG laser irradiation significantly increased surface microhardness after acid challenge versus untreated control (SMD 2.41, 95% CI 0.70 to 4.12; 3 in vitro studies; ungraded).
1 finding from 1 review
SMD 2.41 [0.70, 4.12]
3 studies
GRADE not reported
Caries arrestment at the individual (patient) level · Children and adults without systemic diseases affecting dental health
SDF showed a higher caries-arrestment proportion at the individual level, but the reported difference was not statistically significant.
1 finding from 1 review
Change in Mutans streptococci (MS) count in dental plaque · healthy people
Xylitol significantly reduced Mutans streptococci in dental plaque compared with no treatment (SMD -0.73, 95% CI -1.09 to -0.37; 5 trials, I2=53%; not GRADE-rated).
1 finding from 1 review
Caries arrestment at the tooth level · Children and adults without systemic diseases affecting dental health
SDF showed a higher caries-free proportion at the tooth level, but the reported difference was not statistically significant.
1 finding from 1 review
Enamel surface microhardness · Demineralised / white-spot-lesion enamel (in vitro specimens)
In demineralised enamel, Er:YAG laser irradiation did not significantly change surface microhardness versus untreated control (SMD 0.66, 95% CI -1.12 to 2.44; 2 in vitro studies; ungraded).
1 finding from 1 review
Enamel demineralization (QLF ΔF) · Human tooth enamel specimens, sound/intact (in vitro)
Er:YAG laser irradiation significantly reduced enamel mineral loss versus untreated control (SMD -2.09, 95% CI -3.29 to -0.88; 4 in vitro studies; ungraded).
1 finding from 1 review
SMD -2.09 [-3.29, -0.88]
4 studies
GRADE not reported
Calcium ions released in acidic solution · Human tooth enamel specimens, sound/intact (in vitro)
Er:YAG laser irradiation did not significantly change calcium ions released into acidic solution versus untreated control (SMD -0.40, 95% CI -0.96 to 0.15; 6 in vitro studies, I2=80%; ungraded).
1 finding from 1 review
Visible plaque and oral-hygiene behavior · Schoolchildren aged 4-6 years in the United Arab Emirates (Dubai)
One pre-post study of a school-based supervised tooth-brushing program found visible plaque fell from 76.8% to 36.7% with positive behavior change (narrative synthesis; not GRADE-rated).
1 finding from 1 review
Al Mashhadani evaluated a 3-month school-based daily tooth-brushing program (1,500 students aged 4-6 in 7 private and governmental schools). The presence of visible plaque decreased from 76.8% to 36.7%…
1 study · 1500 participants
GRADE not reported
Visible plaque prevalence · Schoolchildren aged 4-6 years in Dubai schools
Visible plaque prevalence decreased from 76.8% before to 36.7% after the intervention.
1 finding from 1 review
Chlorhexidine mouthrinse vs Placebo or no intervention (including routine care)
Outcome not reported · Children and adolescents below 18 years at study start (included studies: children from birth to 15 years), with mixed, permanent or…
The review found no eligible studies for this question.
1 finding from 1 review
Chlorhexidine spray vs Placebo or no intervention (including routine care)
Outcome not reported · Children and adolescents below 18 years at study start (included studies: children from birth to 15 years), with mixed, permanent or…
The review found no eligible studies for this question.
1 finding from 1 review
Chlorhexidine toothpaste vs Placebo or no intervention (including routine care)
Outcome not reported · Children and adolescents below 18 years at study start (included studies: children from birth to 15 years), with mixed, permanent or…
The review found no eligible studies for this question.
1 finding from 1 review
Chlorhexidine chewing gum vs Placebo or no intervention (including routine care)
Outcome not reported · Children and adolescents below 18 years at study start (included studies: children from birth to 15 years), with mixed, permanent or…
The review found no eligible studies for this question.
1 finding from 1 review
Relative DOR by setting (FC, advanced, occlusal permanent) · Permanent teeth, occlusal surfaces, with suspected caries lesions
No significant setting difference for FC (RDOR 2.96, 0.36 to 24.45).
2 findings from 1 review
Diagnostic accuracy (pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio, summary-ROC AUC) · Permanent teeth, occlusal surfaces, with suspected caries lesions
Pen-type laser fluorescence on occlusal surfaces of permanent teeth (more advanced-lesion threshold): pooled DOR for LFpen lower than for LF and FC; heterogeneity I2=73%. Diagnostic accuracy was not formally graded (GRADE not used).
2 findings from 1 review
Fluorescence-based methods for detecting caries lesions: systematic review, meta-analysis and sources of heterogeneity. 2013 All outcomesMore advanced (dentine/cavitated) caries lesions threshold · Laboratory (in vitro) and clinical (in vivo)
Pooled sensitivity, specificity, DOR, PLR, NLR and summary-ROC AUC reported qualitatively (Figure 6); pooled DOR for LFpen lower than for LF and FC. Heterogeneity I2=73%. Numeric pooled values not available in the…
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported
Pooled sensitivity, specificity, DOR, PLR, NLR and summary-ROC AUC reported qualitatively (Figure 6); accuracy similar among LF, LFpen and FC. Heterogeneity I2=54%. Numeric pooled values not available in the provided…
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported
Relative DOR by reference standard (LF, advanced, occlusal permanent) · Permanent teeth, occlusal surfaces, with suspected caries lesions
No significant difference vs histological for LF at the advanced threshold (RDOR 0.62, 0.15 to 2.46).
2 findings from 1 review