Research abstract
British Dental Journal 195, 87 - 98 (2003)
Published online: 26 July 2003 | doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.4810337
The effectiveness of routine dental checks: a systematic review of the evidence base
C F Davenport1, K M Elley2, A Fry-Smith3, C L Taylor-Weetman4 & R S Taylor5
- This review demonstrates a lack of consistency in the direction of effect of oral health outcome measures with different frequencies of routine dental check.
- Six-monthly routine dental checks or any other specific frequency of routine dental check for adults or children cannot be advocated on the basis of existing evidence.
- There is a need for further primary research to investigate the relative effectiveness of routine dental checks of different frequency in terms of the separate impact on caries, periodontal disease, oral cancer and patient-centred oral health outcomes.
Abstract
Aims To systematically review the effectiveness of routine dental checks of different recall frequencies in adults and children.
Methods Search methods included electronic bibliographic databases up to March 2001, relevant internet sites, citation checking and contact with experts and professional dental bodies. Inclusion criteria: (1) Study design: any; (2) Population: deciduous, mixed and permanent dentition; (3) Intervention: 'Routine dental check': 'clinical examination, advice, charting (including monitoring of periodontal status) and report' as defined in the NHS Executive General Dental Service Statement of Dental Remuneration; (4) Comparator: no routine dental check or routine dental check(s) of different recall frequency; (5) Primary outcomes: caries, periodontal disease, quality of life, oral cancer.
Results Twenty eight studies were identified for the review. Studies were poorly reported and clinically heterogenous which restricted comparison between studies and limited generalisability to the UK situation. There was no consistency across multiple studies in the direction of effect of different dental check frequencies on measures of caries in deciduous mixed or permanent dentition, periodontal disease or oral cancer in permanent dentition. No studies were identified linking empirical measures of quality of life associated with oral health and dental check frequency.
Conclusions There is no existing high quality evidence to support or refute the practice of encouraging six-monthly dental checks in adults and children.
- Clinical Research Fellow, Kingston House, 438 High Street, West Bromwich, B70 9LD
- Consultant in Dental Public Health Rowley Regis and Tipton PCT, Kingston House, 438 High Street, West Bromwich, B70 9LD
- Information Specialist, Kingston House, 438 High Street, West Bromwich, B70 9LD
- Consultant in Dental Public Health, Heron House, 120 Grove Road, Fenton, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire ST4 4LX
- Senior Lecturer in Public Health & Epidemiology, West Midlands Health Technology Assessment Collaboration, Department of Public Health & Epidemiology, University of Birmingham, Kingston House, 438 High Street, West Bromwich, B70 9LD
Correspondence to: C F Davenport1
Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT
e-mail: C.F.Davenport@bham.ac.uk