Gimenez, T., Piovesan, C., Braga, M.M. et al. (5 more authors) (2015) Clinical Relevance of Studies on the Accuracy of Visual Inspection for Detecting Caries Lesions: A Systematic Review. Caries Research, 49 (2). pp. 91-98. ISSN 0008-6568
Abstract
Although visual inspection is the most commonly used method for caries detection, and consequently the most investigated, studies have not been concerned about the clinical relevance of this procedure. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review in order to perform a critical evaluation considering the clinical relevance and methodological quality of studies on the accuracy of visual inspection for assessing caries lesions. Two independent reviewers searched several databases through July 2013 to identify papers/articles published in English. Other sources were checked to identify unpublished literature. The eligible studies were those which (1) assessed the accuracy of the visual method for detecting caries lesions on occlusal, approximal or smooth surfaces, in primary or permanent teeth, (2) used a reference standard, and (3) reported data about sample size and accuracy of the methods. Aspects related to clinical relevance and the methodological quality of the studies were evaluated. 96 of the 5,578 articles initially identified met the inclusion criteria. In general, most studies failed in considering some clinically relevant aspects: only 1 included study validated activity status of lesions, no study considered its prognosis, 79 studies did not consider a clinically relevant outcome, and only 1 evaluated a patient-centred outcome. Concerning methodological quality, the majority of the studies presented a high risk of bias in sample selection. In conclusion, studies on the accuracy of the visual method for caries detection should consider clinically relevant outcomes besides accuracy; moreover, they should be conducted with higher methodological quality, mainly regarding sample selection.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel. This is an author produced version of a paper subsequently published in Caries Research. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Accuracy; Clinical relevance; Dental caries; Performance; Systematic review; Visual inspection |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health (Sheffield) > School of Clinical Dentistry (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 08 Feb 2016 10:26 |
Last Modified: | 11 Mar 2016 08:26 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000365948 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Karger |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1159/000365948 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:94010 |