Dental patient reported outcome and oral health-related quality of life measures: protocol for a systematic evidence map of reviews.

Aims: This research synthesis protocol addresses the question: what is the evidence concerning measurement properties of dental patient reported outcome measures (dPROMs), and regarding the real-world value of dPROMs, and where are the gaps in this evidence? Evidence mapping will systematically examine reviews of quantitative dPROMs used to assess the impact of oral health on the quality of life of dental patients and research participants. Evidence gaps where future research or systematic reviews are required will be identified.

Materials And Methods: This protocol accords with the PRISMA-P guideline.

Exploring 12-Year trends in childhood obesity prevalence for the Republic of Ireland - a national study using survey data from 2002 and 2014.

The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children may have reached a plateau in some developed countries, including Ireland. The aim of this study was to examine 12-year trends in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among primary-school-aged children in the Republic of Ireland between 2002 and 2014. Two large-scale oral health cross-sectional surveys of primary-school-aged children aged 4-13 years were conducted 12 years apart in 2002 (n=14,055; response rate=68%) and 2014 (n=5,223; response rate=67%).

Fluoride And Caring for Children's Teeth (FACCT): Clinical Fieldwork Protocol.

The reduction in dental caries seen between Irish national surveys of children's oral health in 1984 and 2002 was accompanied by an increase in the prevalence of enamel fluorosis.  To minimise the risk of enamel fluorosis in Irish children, in 2007, the level of fluoride in drinking water was reduced from 0.8-1.

Chlorhexidine mouthrinse as an adjunctive treatment for gingival health.

Background: Dental plaque associated gingivitis is a reversible inflammatory condition caused by accumulation and persistence of microbial biofilms (dental plaque) on the teeth. It is characterised by redness and swelling of the gingivae (gums) and a tendency for the gingivae to bleed easily. In susceptible individuals, gingivitis may lead to periodontitis and loss of the soft tissue and bony support for the tooth.

Methodological issues in oral health research: intervention studies.

Objectives: To provide a broad overview of methodological issues in the design and evaluation of intervention studies in dental public health, with particular emphasis on explanatory trials, pragmatic trials and complex interventions.

Methods: We present a narrative summary of selected publications from the literature outlining both historical and recent challenges in the design and evaluation of intervention studies and describe some recent tools that may help researchers to address these challenges.

Results: It is now recognised that few intervention studies in dental public health are purely explanatory or pragmatic.

The caries-preventive effect of chlorhexidine varnish in children and adolescents: a systematic review.

Aims: Our purpose was to systematically review the literature on the effectiveness of chlorhexidine varnish for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents and to determine its effectiveness compared to fluoride varnish.

Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library were searched through December 2009 to identify relevant randomised trials with blind outcome assessment and a minimum duration of 1 year. The search was later updated in MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library to March 19th, 2010.