Early enamel caries: Detection and diagnosis

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This comparative analysis of 5 Cochrane caries diagnostic test accuracy studies provides summary estimates for most currently available technologies. However the certainty of the evidence is considered low and it is difficult to predict real world performance.

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COVID-19 Dental Elf Blogs – 5

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Since the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus just over a year ago we have published a number of dental blogs relevant to COVID-19. The blogs cover topics such as dental teams’ generic risk of disease, baseline risk of covid-19, asymptomatic patients and the risk of community spread, digital thermometers, mouthwash use, surgical mask types, gown [read the full story…]

Detecting SARS-CoV-2 in Saliva

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This review of the use of as a sample for the detection of SARS-COV-2 included 22 studies ( 2 case reports, 17 case series and 3 mass screenings) while SARS-CoV-2 is detected in saliva additional high quality studies are needed to determine efficacy.

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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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Fluorescence devices for caries detection

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This Cochrane diagnostic test accuracy review of fluorescence-based devices for the detection and diagnosis of enamel caries included 131 studies with 114 datasets from 79 studies contributing to the meta-analyses.

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Root caries: detection and diagnosis

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This Cochrane review assessing the diagnostic test accuracy of index tests for the detection and diagnosis of root caries in adults included 4 studies and 4997 root surfaces. The studies were all at high risk of bias meaning the available evidence is of very low certainty

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Saliva in the diagnosis of COVID-19

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Saliva has been suggested as having potential diagnostic value in COVID-19 patients. In this blog Manas Dave looks at a recent review of the subject which included 28 studies.

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Autism and eating disorders: is it time to give the PEACE pathway a chance?

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Rachel Symons explores a new paper about the PEACE pathway (Pathway for Eating disorders and Autism developed from Clinical Experience), which hopes to increase understanding and improve care for patients with a dual diagnosis of autism and eating disorders.

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Interproximal caries detection: near-infrared light transillumination (NILT) compared to bitewing radiograph

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This review of the accuracy of the near-infrared light transillumination (NILT) for the detection of interproximal dental caries in permanent dentition included 13 studies with 6 contributing to a meta-analasis. Findings suggest that NILT is reasonably comparable to bitewings.

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Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 screening: Could it accidentally cause local lockdowns?

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Mark-Steven Howe takes a look coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 screening and the implications of false positive tests in this blog

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