Caries detection using visual or visual-tactile examination

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This diagnostic test accuracy review of visual classification systems for the detection and diagnosis of non-cavitated coronal dental caries in children or adults included 67 studies. The findings suggest that these classificationssystems have resonable performance but the certainty of the evidence is low.

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Antidepressant discontinuation and continuation: new Cochrane review finds miasma of confound

Depression.,Antidepressants.,Young,Character,Trapped,In,A,Pill,Bottle.,Capsules.

Adele Framer, Founder of SurvivingAntidepressants.org, explores a recent Cochrane review on antidepressant discontinuation versus continuation for adults with depression or anxiety, which highlights huge uncertainty in the science about antidepressant withdrawal.

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Alveolar ridge preservation techniques

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16 RCTs were included in this Cochrane review update of the effectiveness of techniques for alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) following dental extractions prior to implant placement. The findings suggest that ARP techniques may minimise the overall changes in residual ridge height and width six months after extraction, but the evidence is very uncertain

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Dental imaging methods for early caries detection and diagnosis

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This Cochrane review of the diagnostic accuracy of different dental imaging methods for early enamel lesions included 104 datasets from 77 studies. Low-certainty evidence suggests that imaging for the detection or diagnosis of early tooth decay may result in a relatively high proportion of false-negative results.

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Tobacco cessation delivered by dental professionals

These are promising findings, but we are some way from being able to recommend specific interventions to help people stick with their smoking cessation medication.

This review of tobacco cessation interventions offered by dental professionals included 20 clinical trials. Advice and support form dental professionals that involved NRT or e-cigarettes was more likely to help patients stop smoking

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Light-based tests for early caries detection

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This Cochrane review aimed to estimate the diagnostic test accuracy of different illumination tests for the detection and diagnosis of enamel caries in children or adults. 24 datasets from 23 studies were included with optical coherence tomography showing the most potential but more research is needed.

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Oral hygiene for critically ill patients

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This Cochrane review updated assessing the impact of oral health measures on the incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) in critically ill patients receiving mechanical ventilation in intensive care includes 40 RCTs and suggests that Chlorhexidine mouthwash or gel, as part of oral health measures, probably reduces the incidence of developing VAP.

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Periodontitis: Systemic antimicrobials as an adjunct to non-surgical treatment

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This Cochrane review of the effects of systemic antimicrobials as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) for the non-surgical treatment of patients with periodontitis identified 45 RCTs. However the evidence is of very low certainty to inform tclinicians and patients if adjunctive antibiotics are beneficial.

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Caries prevention in children: Fluoride varnishes or sealants?

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11 RCTs were included in this Cochrane review which looked at the relative effectiveness of fissure sealants compared with fluoride varnishes for the prevention of caries in the occlusal surfaces of permanent teeth.

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Dental check-ups: How often should you go?

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This Cochrane review update of the optimal recall interval of dental check-up for oral health in a primary care setting included 2 RCTs. The findings show little to no difference between six‐monthly and risk‐based check‐ups in tooth decay, gum disease and quality of life after four years.

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