This review evaluating the evidence regarding the efficacy of propolis-based mouthwash on dental plaque and gingival inflammation included 9 RCTs. While the findings suggest potential benefit from propolis-based mouthwash the quality of the available evidence is very low and additional high quality studies are needed to assess any benefits.
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4 RCTs involving 96 patients were included in this review of osseous resective surgery (ORS) in the treatment of residual periodontal defects.
The findings suggest some benefit from ORS but they should be interpreted cautiously because of the limited number of small studies.
Anya Borissova summarises a recent systematic review which brings together all of the randomised controlled trials of LSD as a treatment for mental illnesses, including alcohol and heroin dependency, depression and anxiety.
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This review of the effectiveness of adjunctive local antiseptics to conventional scaling and root planning (SRP) included 12 RCTs only 3 of whihc were considered to be at low risk of bias. While the findings suggest some benefit from the use of antiseptics with a sustained-release delivery the limited quality of the included studies means that the findings should be interpreted cautiously.
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In this blog Mark-Steven Howe looks at a methodlogical review and meta-analysis. The review looked at the use of patient and assessor blinding is trials of oral health interventions and shows larger effect sizes when blinding was lacking.
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This review of interventions promoting parental supervised toothbrushing practices to reduce caries in children under 8 years included 42 studies. Few of the interventions were underpinned by theory and methodological rigour in their development and evaluation so future interventions need to be guided by complex intervention methodology.
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Manas Dave looks at a review of elective neck dissection (END) versus observation for the management of T1-2 oral squamous cell carcinoma. The review included 41 studies only 5 were RCTs the remainder being retrospective studies.
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Imogen Bell blogs a timely systematic review which compares the interactional qualities of psychological therapy delivered face-to-face and over the telephone.
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Manas Dave in his debut blog for the Dental Elf looks at a review on bonding of adhesive materials to molar-incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) affected enamel. 10 studies were included only 4 of which were clinical so the findings need to be interpreted cautiously.
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In her debut blog, Laura Culshaw summarises a recent systematic review exploring the attitudes, knowledge and behaviours of GPs in managing self-harm in primary care.
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