Evidence-based Dentistry 

About: Evidence-based Dentistry is an academic journal published by Springer Nature. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Medicine & Randomized controlled trial. It has an ISSN identifier of 1462-0049. Over the lifetime, 1418 publications have been published receiving 9185 citations. The journal is also known as: EBD.

Study design III: Cross-sectional studies

Abstract: In this series, I previously gave an overview of the main types of study design and the techniques used to minimise biased results. Here, I describe cross-sectional studies, their uses, advantages and limitations.

Understanding statistics 3

Abstract: The last article in this series described the different types and nature of data used in quantitative research. This article will define and examine the relationships between P-values, confidence intervals and sample size.

A systematic review of the efficacy and safety of fluoridation

Abstract: The systematic review was commissioned by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to evaluate the scientific literature relating to the health effects of fluoride and fluoridation. The systematic review's research questions relate to the caries-reducing benefits and associated potential health risks of providing fluoride systemically (via addition to water, milk and salt) and the use of topical fluoride agents, such as toothpaste, gel, varnish and mouthrinse. Although the review summarises the recent evidence, it does not constitute health policy or clinical practice recommendations. A literature search was undertaken using the Medline and Embase databases (via www.embase.com ). In addition, the Cochrane Systematic Review and Clinical Trial databases were searched to help identify additional systematic reviews and original studies. Because of the availability of recent systematic reviews, searches were limited to publications from 1996 onwards . The search was conducted in December 2006 and limited to English-language publications. Based on types of intervention (individual or population) and the outcomes assessed (efficacy or safety), the hierarchy of study types considered most relevant for answering each of the clinical questions defined in this review was chosen (Table 1). The levels of evidence used by NHMRC for intervention and aetiological studies are summarised in Table 2. Screening of eligible studies was conducted by three reviewers. Data were extracted for all of the included systematic reviews and individual studies using standardised data-extraction forms. This included information about the study design, NHMRC level of evidence, population, intervention, comparator, outcome definitions and results. Information relating to potential biases and study quality were also extracted. Where appropriate, study results were pooled using standard meta-analysis techniques. In total, 5418 nonduplicate citations were identified. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 408 citations were considered potentially eligible for inclusion in the review. After the review of the full papers of potentially eligible articles, 77 citations were included in the review. The summary of findings was presented in the context of the research questions (Table 3). Fluoridation of drinking water remains the most effective and socially equitable means of achieving community-wide exposure to the caries prevention effects of fluoride. It is recommended (see also www.nhmrc.gov.au/news/media/rel07/_files/fluoride_flyer.pdf ) that water be fluoridated in the target range of 0.6–1.1 mg/l, depending on the climate, to balance reduction of dental caries and occurrence of dental fluorosis.n particular with reference to care in hospital for those following stroke.

Study design I

Abstract: This is the first of a series of articles that will describe the different types of study design; considerations when choosing a study design; and the advantages and disadvantages of each type of study. This first article explains the importance of choosing an appropriate design and the decisions to be made when doing so.

Molar incisor hypomineralisation

Abstract: Data sourcesThe Medline and Embase databases and hand searches in the journals International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry and European Archives of Paediatric Dentistry.Study selectionEnglish language cohort and case-control studies.Data extraction and synthesisStudy selection was carried out independently by two reviewers with data abstraction being conducted by a single reviewer and checked by a second reviewer. Risk of bias was assessed using a modified version of the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Adjusted (aOR) and unadjusted odds ratios (uOR), P-values and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were obtained from the studies. Meta-analysis was not conducted.ResultsTwenty-eight studies were included; 25 reported on MIH, three on hypomineralised second primary molars (HSPM). Nineteen of the studies were of cohort design (six prospective,13 retrospective) and nine were case controls. There was little evidence of an association between the most frequently investigated prenatal factors (smoking, maternal illness, maternal medication, maternal stress) and MIH. Similarly there was little evidence of an association between MIH and perinatal factors such as prematurity, low birth weight, caesarean delivery and birth complications. Early childhood illness, up to three or four years of age, was widely investigated, with six studies reporting a crude association. Associations between antibiotics, anti-asthma medication and breastfeeding were also evaluated. Only three studies looked at HSPM; one study suggested that maternal antibiotic use during pregnancy is unlikely to be associated with HSPM but maternal alcohol intake may be. Another study reported possible associations with a large number of factors, with perinatal factors and neonatal illness being most common, followed by prenatal factors.ConclusionsPrenatal and perinatal factors are infrequently associated with MIH. However, despite a lack of prospective studies, early childhood illness (in particular fever) appears to be associated with MIH. Further prospective studies that adjust for confounding based on biological principles, as well as genetic and epigenetic studies, are needed because the aetiology is likely to be multifactorial.