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. 2015 Feb 23;10(2):e0117537. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0117537

Table 7. Knowledge gaps identified from the systematic reviews.

Domain Knowledge gaps
Behavior management problems/dental anxiety Effect of conscious sedation versus general anaesthesia
effect of different conscious sedation techniques and dosages
effect of pre-operative analgesics on pain relief.
Caries risk assessment and caries detection, including radiographic technologies Validity of multivariate models and single predictors
validity of different techniques for detecting non-cavitated caries lesions
validity of radiographic methods for detecting enamel and dentin caries
risk and potential harm of over- and under-detecting caries.
Prevention and non-operative treatment of caries in primary and young permanent teeth Proper amount and level of ppm fluoride in tooth-pastes for pre-school children related to the risk of fluorosis
effect of toothpaste introduction age, optimal brushing time and post-brushing behavior
additional effect of fluoride mouth-rinse in high caries risk children/adolescents
effect of fissure sealing of permanent molars in populations with low caries risk
effect of fissure sealing of permanent molars with glass-ionomer cements
effect of fissure sealing of permanent molars with resin-based sealants compared with glass-ionomer cements
effect of fissure sealing compared with fluoride varnish application
effect of fluoride varnish in primary teeth
effect of chlorhexidine
effects of varying other agents and methods and effect of adding fluoride to food
effects of information, professional programs, routine dental checks and counseling
effect of non-operative methods to arrest or reverse non-cavitated caries lesions.
Operative treatment of caries in primary and young permanent teeth Effect of partial versus complete caries removal on signs/symptoms and restoration survival
effects of filling materials on pain, survival and aesthetics
effects of no treatment, non-operative or operative treatment on pain, survival and aesthetics in primary teeth
clinical and radiographic outcome of different techniques for primary and permanent teeth with reversible pulpitis.
Prevention and treatment of periodontal disease Effect of interventions for preventing and treating periodontal disease.
Management of tooth developmental and mineralization disturbances Effect of interventions for managing tooth developmental and mineralization disturbances.
Prevention and treatment of oral conditions in children with chronic diseases/developmental disturbances/obesity Effect of interventions for the management of oral conditions in children with chronic diseases/developmental disturbances/obesity and other conditions, including neuropsychiatric functional disorders and oral-motor function disturbances.
Diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental erosion and tooth wear Diagnostic validity and effect of interventions for preventing and treating dental erosion and tooth wear.
Treatment of traumatic injuries in primary and young permanent teeth Effect of interventions for the management of traumatic injuries in primary and young permanent teeth.
Cost-effectiveness of interventions Cost-effectiveness of interventions for the ten selected domains.