Dental caries · Adult residents of slums and non-slum urban settings of LMICs
Slum residents had non-significantly higher odds of caries than non-slum residents (OR 1.21, 95% CI 0.94-1.56; single study); ungraded.
1 finding from 1 review
Adverse effects · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions)
1 finding from 1 review
In 1 study, 115 of 118 children had black stains on teeth treated with SDF; there were no other adverse effects or allergic reactions. In 1 study, the rate of adverse effects reported by caregiver and person who…
3 studies · 482 participants
Very low
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
Dental caries · Primary school children in Ethiopia
A significant salivary microbial (Lactobacillus) load was associated with higher odds of dental caries (OR 3.82, 95% CI 3.439-4.192; ungraded).
1 finding from 1 review
OR 3.82 [3.439, 4.192]
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported
Caries arrest · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions)
It is very uncertain whether silver diamine fluoride (SDF) changes caries arrest compared with placebo or no treatment (very low certainty).
3 findings from 1 review
MD 0.20 [0.00, 0.40]
1 study · 373 participants
Very low
MD 0.24 [0.12, 0.36]
1 study · 158 participants
Very low
MD 0.86 [0.39, 1.33]
2 studies · 841 participants
Low
Aesthetics · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions)
1 finding from 1 review
Aesthetics · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions)
The review found no eligible studies for this question.
1 finding from 1 review
Caries arrest · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions)
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) plus fluoride varnish showed no clear difference in caries arrest compared with sealants plus fluoride varnish (with or without restorations) (low certainty).
1 finding from 1 review
Periodontal pocket (odds), slum vs non-slum residence · Adult residents of slums and non-slum urban settings of LMICs
Slum residents had significantly higher odds of periodontal pocketing than non-slum residents (OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.13-1.98; single study); ungraded.
1 finding from 1 review
Dental caries susceptibility · Institutionalized orphan children (roughly 3 to 18 years)
Male institutionalized children had a marginally higher caries risk than females (RR 1.02), a non-significant difference (very low certainty).
1 finding from 1 review
Aesthetics · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions)
1 finding from 1 review
Cleary 2022 reported no significant differences (P > 0.05) in parental acceptability, satisfaction, and preference between treatments at 6 and 12 months; at 12 months children in the restoration arm felt happier with…
1 study
Very low
Aesthetics · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions)
The review found no eligible studies for this question.
1 finding from 1 review
Aesthetics · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions)
The review found no eligible studies for this question.
1 finding from 1 review
Early childhood caries (ECC) · Children with average age >3 years
No significant association between cesarean vs vaginal delivery and ECC among children with average age >3 years (OR 1.24, 95% CI 0.89-1.71).
1 finding from 1 review
OR 1.24 [0.89, 1.71]
14 studies
GRADE not reported
Caries experience (mean DMFT) · Adult residents of slums and non-slum urban settings of LMICs
Mean DMFT ranges from 0.26 to 16.6 across LMIC urban/slum populations; ungraded.
1 finding from 1 review
Use of toothbrush and toothpaste for mouth cleaning · Adult residents of slums and non-slum urban settings of LMICs
Toothbrush/paste is the commonest cleaning method but is used less in slum/disadvantaged/rural groups than urban/non-slum groups; ungraded.
1 finding from 1 review
Dental caries · Primary school children in Ethiopia
Absence of toothpaste use was not significantly associated with dental caries (OR 1.42, 95% CI -1.278 to 4.109, p=0.3029; ungraded).
1 finding from 1 review
OR 1.42 [-1.278, 4.109]
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported
Enamel surface / cross-sectional microhardness · Human / bovine enamel specimens under cariogenic challenge (in situ / ex vivo)
CO2 laser irradiation changes enamel microhardness versus untreated enamel (MD 49.55, CI 37.74 to 61.37; ungraded, 3 ex-vivo studies, I2=48%); the forest plot shows higher microhardness in laser-treated enamel, although the review text states the opposite.
1 finding from 1 review
Dental pain or sensitivity · Children and adults (with or without carious lesions)
The review found no eligible studies for this question.
1 finding from 1 review
Dental caries · Primary school children in Ethiopia
Being in grade levels 1-4 was associated with higher odds of dental caries (OR 2.46, 95% CI 1.523-3.397; ungraded).
1 finding from 1 review
OR 2.46 [1.523, 3.397]
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported