Findings

What do systematic reviews say?

1,692 questions · 2,586 findings · 180 reviews · Dental caries

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No studies found 194 · 7.5%GRADE not reported 1,937 · 74.9%Very low 248 · 9.6%Low 136 · 5.3%Moderate 52 · 2%High 19 · 0.7%

Fluoride varnish vs placebo or no treatment

Proportion of children developing new caries (permanent) · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or less

Fluoride varnish showed no clear difference in proportion of children developing one or more new caries (permanent… compared with placebo or no treatment; GRADE not reported.

1 finding from 1 review

Fluoride varnishes for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents 2013 · Cochrane All outcomes
At least 1 year
RR 0.75 [0.53, 1.05]
5 studies · 3253 participants
GRADE not reported

Resin-based fissure sealant vs No comparator

Association between loss of complete retention risk and caries occurrence risk · Patients with fissure-sealed permanent molar teeth

Loss of complete sealant retention was directly associated with caries occurrence for resin-based sealants in the main analysis (regression slope 0.89, 95% CI 0.56 to 1.23; ungraded).

2 findings from 1 review

Validity of sealant retention as surrogate for caries prevention--a systematic review. 2013 All outcomes
At least 24 months · Main analysis
Regression slope (ln caries risk on ln retention-loss risk) 0.89 [0.56, 1.23]
54 studies · 17377 participants
GRADE not reported
Validity of sealant retention as surrogate for caries prevention--a systematic review. 2013 All outcomes
Longest follow-up per trial · Sensitivity analysis
Regression slope (ln caries risk on ln retention-loss risk) 0.53 [-0.27, 1.32]
14 studies · 3154 participants
GRADE not reported

Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing

Quality of life · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate)

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

1 finding from 1 review

Interdental brushing for the prevention and control of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults 2013 · Cochrane All outcomes
Not estimable. No included study assessed quality of life as an outcome. (See comment)
0 studies
No studies found

Intervention not reported

Caries occurrence on sealed teeth

The intervention led to higher caries occurrence on sealed teeth; GRADE not reported.

1 finding from 1 review

The modified Ottawa method to establish the update need of a systematic review: glass-ionomer versus resin sealants… 2013 All outcomes
24 months, original datasets only (permanent teeth)
RR 2.10 [1.23, 3.58]
4 studies
GRADE not reported

Primary school-based behavioural intervention (both oral hygiene and dietary components) vs No treatment (or delayed treatment)

Adverse events · Children aged 4 to 12 years attending primary school

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

1 finding from 1 review

Primary school‐based behavioural interventions for preventing caries 2013 · Cochrane All outcomes
No study reported any adverse events.
0 studies
No studies found

Resin composite restorations containing antibacterial agents vs Non-antibacterial containing composite restorations

Postoperative sensitivity, marginal adaptation, anatomic form and other clinical outcomes (USPHS restoration quality; includes tooth vitality and pulpitis) · Adults and adolescents in any age group with restorations in the permanent dentition and children with restorations in the primary dentition

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

1 finding from 1 review

Antibacterial agents in composite restorations for the prevention of dental caries 2013 · Cochrane All outcomes
No studies were included in this review, as we were unable to find any trials directly comparing antibacterial containing composites to other active interventions or controls.
0 studies
No studies found

Primary school-based behavioural intervention (both oral hygiene and dietary components) vs No treatment (or delayed treatment)

Caries increment, tooth index D(M)FT · Children aged 4 to 12 years attending primary school

1 finding from 1 review

Primary school‐based behavioural interventions for preventing caries 2013 · Cochrane All outcomes
2 years
PF 0.49
1 study
GRADE not reported

Intervention not reported

Risk of caries occurrence

1 finding from 1 review

Validity of sealant retention as surrogate for caries prevention--a systematic review. 2013 All outcomes
Main analysis; resin-based (Mat 1)
Mean risk (proportion of sealed teeth) 0.12 (SD 0.14)
54 studies
GRADE not reported

Primary school-based behavioural intervention (both oral hygiene and dietary components) vs No treatment (or delayed treatment)

Frequency of cariogenic food and drink consumption · Children aged 4 to 12 years attending primary school

1 finding from 1 review

Primary school‐based behavioural interventions for preventing caries 2013 · Cochrane All outcomes
Worthington 2001: few children had problems identifying foods containing sugar; only 15% of intervention and 19% of control participants reported routinely consuming sugary snacks on arriving home from school; snacking…
1 study
GRADE not reported

Primary school-based behavioural intervention (both oral hygiene and dietary components) vs No treatment (or delayed treatment)

Frequency of toothbrushing · Children aged 4 to 12 years attending primary school

1 finding from 1 review

Primary school‐based behavioural interventions for preventing caries 2013 · Cochrane All outcomes
Worthington 2001 reported children's brushing frequency: almost all children (99%) at baseline reported twice daily brushing, and this level was maintained across all groups throughout the intervention (in baseline…
1 study
GRADE not reported

Intervention not reported

Risk of caries occurrence

1 finding from 1 review

Validity of sealant retention as surrogate for caries prevention--a systematic review. 2013 All outcomes
Main analysis; GIC-based (Mat 2)
Mean risk (proportion of sealed teeth) 0.12 (SD 0.08)
22 studies
GRADE not reported

Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing vs Toothbrushing alone

Periodontitis (clinical attachment loss) · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate)

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

1 finding from 1 review

Interdental brushing for the prevention and control of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults 2013 · Cochrane All outcomes
Not estimable. No included study assessed periodontitis as an outcome. (See comment)
0 studies
No studies found

Resin composite restorations containing antibacterial agents vs Non-antibacterial containing composite restorations

Restoration survival · Adults and adolescents in any age group with restorations in the permanent dentition and children with restorations in the primary dentition

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

1 finding from 1 review

Antibacterial agents in composite restorations for the prevention of dental caries 2013 · Cochrane All outcomes
No studies were included in this review, as we were unable to find any trials directly comparing antibacterial containing composites to other active interventions or controls.
0 studies
No studies found

Interdental brushing plus toothbrushing vs Flossing plus toothbrushing

Periodontitis (clinical attachment loss) · Adults, 16 years and older (dentate)

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

1 finding from 1 review

Interdental brushing for the prevention and control of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults 2013 · Cochrane All outcomes
Not estimable. No included study assessed clinical attachment loss, a measure of progression of periodontitis. (See comment)
0 studies
No studies found

Fluoride supplementation (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gum) vs No fluoride supplement (placebo or no treatment)

Caries increment, surface index D(M)FS · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or less

1 finding from 1 review

Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) for preventing dental caries in children 2011 · Cochrane All outcomes
24-36 months
PF 0.24 [0.16, 0.33]
3 studies · 1240 participants
Moderate

Fluoride supplementation (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gum) vs No fluoride supplement (placebo or no treatment)

Caries increment in deciduous (primary) teeth/surfaces (dmf index) · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or less

1 finding from 1 review

Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) for preventing dental caries in children 2011 · Cochrane All outcomes
24-36 months
PF 0.73 [0.46, 0.99]
1 study · 115 participants
Very low

Fluoride supplementation (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gum) vs Topical fluoride (fluoride rinse, varnish or toothpaste)

Fluorosis (adverse effect; % of children with fluorotic teeth) · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or less

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

1 finding from 1 review

Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) for preventing dental caries in children 2011 · Cochrane All outcomes
Summary of findings 2 lists fluorosis (% of children with fluorotic teeth) as 'See comment / Not estimable / Not estimated'; no included study reported fluorosis for the fluoride supplements versus topical fluoride…
Studies not reported
No studies found

Fluoride supplementation (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gum) vs Topical fluoride (fluoride rinse, varnish or toothpaste)

Caries increment in permanent teeth · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or less

2 findings from 1 review

Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) for preventing dental caries in children 2011 · Cochrane All outcomes
96 months
PF 0.21 [0.04, 0.38]
1 study
GRADE not reported
Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) for preventing dental caries in children 2011 · Cochrane All outcomes
24-36 months
PF -0.10 [-0.25, 0.05]
5 studies · 2047 participants
Moderate

Fluoride supplementation (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gum) vs No fluoride supplement (placebo or no treatment)

Caries increment in permanent teeth · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or less

3 findings from 1 review

Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) for preventing dental caries in children 2011 · Cochrane All outcomes
55 months
PF 0.25 [0.12, 0.38]
1 study
GRADE not reported
Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) for preventing dental caries in children 2011 · Cochrane All outcomes
24-36 months
PF 0.29 [0.19, 0.39]
3 studies · 1208 participants
Moderate
Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) for preventing dental caries in children 2011 · Cochrane All outcomes
72 months
PF 0.28 [0.16, 0.41]
1 study
GRADE not reported

Fluoride supplementation (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gum) vs Topical fluoride (fluoride rinse, varnish or toothpaste)

Plaque and gingivitis scores · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or less

1 finding from 1 review

Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) for preventing dental caries in children 2011 · Cochrane All outcomes
24 months
One study (Holm 1975): no difference between groups (fluoride supplements versus fluoride rinses) for mean plaque and gingivitis scores after 2 years. No summary estimate reported.
1 study
GRADE not reported