Current Guidance for Fluoride Intake: Is It Appropriate?

The purpose of this report is to examine critically the appropriateness of the current guidance for fluoride intake in the population (0.05-0.07 mg F/kg bodyweight/d), consider whether changes to the current guidance are desirable, and suggest further research that will strengthen the evidence base for future decisions on guidance/advice in this area.

Diagnostic accuracy of postmortem imaging vs autopsy-A systematic review.

Background Postmortem imaging has been used for more than a century as a complement to medico-legal autopsies. The technique has also emerged as a possible alternative to compensate for the continuous decline in the number of clinical autopsies. To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of postmortem imaging for various types of findings, we performed this systematic literature review.

Diagnostic accuracy of different caries risk assessment methods. A systematic review.

Objectives: To evaluate the accuracy of different methods used to identify individuals with increased risk of developing dental coronal caries.

Data: Studies on following methods were included: previous caries experience, tests using microbiota, buffering capacity, salivary flow rate, oral hygiene, dietary habits and sociodemographic variables. QUADAS-2 was used to assess risk of bias.

A systematic map of systematic reviews in pediatric dentistry--what do we really know?

Objectives: To identify, appraise and summarize existing knowledge and knowledge gaps in practice-relevant questions in pediatric dentistry.

Methods: A systematic mapping of systematic reviews was undertaken for domains considered important in daily clinical practice. The literature search covered questions in the following domains: behavior management problems/dental anxiety; caries risk assessment and caries detection including radiographic technologies; prevention and non-operative treatment of caries in primary and young permanent teeth; operative treatment of caries in primary and young permanent teeth; prevention and treatment of periodontal disease; management of tooth developmental and mineralization disturbances; prevention and treatment of oral conditions in children with chronic diseases/developmental disturbances/obesity; diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental erosion and tooth wear; treatment of traumatic injuries in primary and young permanent teeth and cost-effectiveness of these interventions.

Limited evidence for the use of imaging to detect prostate cancer: a systematic review.

Objective: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of imaging technologies for detecting prostate cancer in patients with elevated PSA-values or suspected findings on clinical examination.

Methods: The databases Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane, CRD HTA/DARE/NHS EED and EconLit were searched until June 2013. Pre-determined inclusion criteria were used to select full text articles.

Measuring GFR: a systematic review.

Background: No comprehensive systematic review of the accuracy of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) measurement methods using renal inulin clearance as reference has been published.

Study Design: Systematic review with meta-analysis of cross-sectional diagnostic studies.

Setting & Population: Published original studies and systematic reviews in any population.

Estimates of sensitivity and specificity of electric pulp testing depend on pulp disease spectrum: a modelling study.

Aim: To demonstrate how the spectrum of diseased pulps may influence sensitivity and specificity in diagnostic studies on pulp status.

Methodology: An original sample from a previous study consisting of 59 teeth scheduled for root canal treatment was used where the relationship between the response to electric pulp testing and the visual status of the pulp was evaluated. To alter the spectrum of diseased pulps, a hypothetical sample of asymptomatic teeth with deep caries lesions was added to the original sample.

Treatment of pulps in teeth affected by deep caries - A systematic review of the literature.

Background: This systematic review assesses the effect of methods commonly used to manage the pulp in cases of deep caries lesions, and the extent the pulp chamber remains uninfected and does not cause pulpal or periapical inflammatory lesions and associated tooth-ache over time.

Study Design: An electronic literature search included the databases PubMed, EMBASE, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Cochrane Reviews from January 1950 to March 2013. In addition, hand searches were carried out.

Pulp exposures in adults--choice of treatment among Swedish dentists.

This study comprises a survey of Swedish dentists'treatment preferences in cases of carious exposure of the dental pulp in adults.The survey was conducted as part of a comprehensive report on methods of diagnosis and treatment in endodontics, published in 2010 by the Swedish Council on Health Technology Assessment. A questionnaire was mailed to a random subsample of 2012 dental offices where one dentist at each office was requested to answer all questions.

Caries risk assessment. A systematic review.

Objective: To assess the ability of multivariate models and single factors to correctly identify future caries development in pre-school children and schoolchildren/adolescents.

Study Design: A systematic literature search for relevant papers was conducted with pre-determined inclusion criteria. Abstracts and full-text articles were assessed independently by two reviewers.

Is single reading with computer-aided detection (CAD) as good as double reading in mammography screening? A systematic review.

Background: In accordance with European guidelines, mammography screening comprises independent readings by two breast radiologists (double reading). CAD (computer-aided detection) has been suggested to complement or replace one of the two readers (single reading + CAD).The aim of this systematic review is to address the following question: Is the reading of mammographic x-ray images by a single breast radiologist together with CAD at least as accurate as double reading?

Methods: The electronic literature search included the databases Pub Med, EMBASE and The Cochrane Library.

Adjunct methods for caries detection: a systematic review of literature.

Objective: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of adjunct methods used to detect and quantify dental caries.

Study Design: A systematic literature search for relevant papers was conducted with pre-determined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Abstracts and full text articles were assessed independently by two reviewers.

Radiological diagnosis of periapical bone tissue lesions in endodontics: a systematic review.

This systematic review evaluates the diagnostic accuracy of radiographic methods employed to indicate presence/absence and changes over time of periapical bone lesions. Also investigated were the leads radiographic images may give about the nature of the process and the condition of the pulp in nonendodontically treated teeth. Electronic literature search included the databases PubMed, Embase and CENTRAL from January 1950 to June 2011.

Indications for fissure sealants and their role in children and adolescents.

The aim of this article is to summarize and interpret present knowledge and evidence on the effect of fissure sealing permanent first and second molars in children and adolescents with two commonly used materials: resin sealants and glass ionomer sealants. Also, to identify important gaps in our knowledge. The results show that the conclusions from systematic reviews differ in several aspects, and that important knowledge gaps still exist, such as the costs and benefits of sealing low- versus high-risk populations.

Diagnosis of the condition of the dental pulp: a systematic review.

The aim of this systematic review was to appraise the diagnostic accuracy of signs/symptoms and tests used to determine the condition of the pulp in teeth affected by deep caries, trauma or other types of injury. Radiographic methods were not included. The electronic literature search included the databases PubMed, EMBASE, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Cochrane Reviews from January 1950 to June 2011.

Economic aspects of the detection of occlusal dentine caries.

Objective: To evaluate the cost of true-positive occlusal dentine caries detection in permanent molars assessed by: (I) visual-tactile examination, (II) visual-tactile examination combined with bitewing radiographs, and (III) selective radiographic examination of patients with lesions detected clinically. A second aim was to analyse the different strategies when the costs of the subsequent restorative care are considered.

Methods: A model analysis was applied owing to the lack of original articles.

Unrestored dentin caries and deep dentin restorations in Swedish adolescents.

The objectives of this longitudinal study were to assess: (a) the prevalence of unrestored dentin caries among 15-year-olds, (b) the proportion of these lesions that had progressed to deep dentin lesions (inner half of dentin) since the immediately preceding examination at the age of 14 and (c) the frequency of deep restorations (extending into the inner half of the dentin). The sample consisted of all 15-year-olds (n = 2,487) born in 1990 and included in the Public Dental Service in Malmo, Sweden. Bitewing radiographs taken during 2005-2007 and the immediately preceding radiographs were analysed and scored by two examiners.

Background factors associated with endodontic treatment due to caries in young permanent teeth.

Objective: The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to assess the association between background factors and future endodontic treatment due to caries in young permanent teeth.

Material And Methods: The material comprised all 19-year-olds born in 1979 in a city in Sweden who had experienced endodontic treatment due to caries in permanent teeth (n=105) and a control group with no endodontic treatment. From dental records, the following independent variables were derived from age 7 to age 19: immigrant background, caries prevalence (DMFT values) at age 10, occurrence of dental anxiety, and missed or cancelled appointments before endodontic treatment.

Detection of approximal caries by clinical and radiographic examination in 9-year-old Swedish children.

The aims were to determine caries prevalence in 9-year-olds belonging to a low-caries prevalence population and to assess how accurately some commonly used risk factors/risk markers (predictors) can identify additional approximal caries as judged from bitewing examination (BW). One calibrated dentist examined 117 consecutive 9-year-olds from the inner city of Stockholm. The predictors were the number of clinically detected dfs and DFS, visible plaque, salivary mutans streptococci, tooth brushing habits, consumption of sugary products, parents' education, and (before BW) an overall clinical judgement by the examiner.

Periapical status and technical quality of root-filled teeth in Swedish adolescents and young adults. A retrospective study.

Objective: The aim was to study periapical status and the technical quality of root-filled teeth in Swedish adolescents and young adults in Malmö, Sweden.

Material And Methods: The sample, collected from dental records in the Public Dental Service, consisted of notes and radiographs of all root-filled permanent teeth in all 19-year-olds born in 1979 (mean age at root filling=16.2 years).

Bitewing examination to detect caries in children and adolescents--when and how often?

Unlabelled: It is generally agreed that the decision to take bitewing radiographs for detecting caries should be based on the benefit to the individual patient in relation to the risks associated with low dose radiation exposure and the costs. There is incomplete knowledge about the effectiveness of various methods for selecting individuals who will benefit from bitewing examination. Available knowledge suggests, however, that our ability to identify correctly those who will benefit is limited.

Detection of approximal caries in 5-year-old Swedish children.

The aim was to assess how accurately some commonly used risk factors/risk markers (predictors) for caries development could identify children with and without approximal caries as judged from bitewing radiography. Two hundred and sixty-seven consecutive 5-year-old children from two Swedish cities participated. Three experienced dentists examined the children.

Hypomineralized molars and incisors of unknown origin: treatment outcome at age 18 years.

Objective: To assess the outcome of treatment of hypomineralized molars and incisors of unknown aetiology (MIH) in 18-year-olds.

Design: A follow-up study including clinical examination, panoramic radiography and intraoral photos.

Sample And Method: Seventy-six individuals treated at the Eastman Dental Institute in Stockholm during 1978-2001 with the diagnosis MIH.

Caries-preventive effect of sodium fluoride mouthrinses: a systematic review of controlled clinical trials.

The Swedish Council on Technology Assessment in Health Care launched a project group in 1999 to systematically review and evaluate the existing literature on different caries-preventive methods. The aim of this article was to report the findings concerning the caries-preventive effect of fluoride mouthrinses (FMRs) in various age groups, with special reference to background fluorides. A systematic search in electronic databases for literature published between 1966 and August 2003 was conducted with the inclusion criteria of a randomized or controlled clinical trial, at least 2 years' follow-up, and caries increment in the permanent dentition (DeltaDMFS/T) as endpoint.