Table 2.
Summary of studies included for systematic review
| Author/Year/Country | Setting/Study design/duration of Follow-up (in months) | Inclusion criteria; Age range (years)/Mean±SD | Sample size/Lost to follow-up | Treatment Protocols included | Clinical Outcome measures | Clinical Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fung et al.[16]; 2018; Hong Kong | 37 kindergartens; Randomized clinical trial; 30 months | Healthy children aged - 3 to 4 years, Minimum one soft carious lesion in dentin; 3-4/3.8±0.6 | Baseline n=888; Lost to follow-up n=89 (10%) at 30 months | Group 1: 12% Silver diamine fluoride every 12 months. Group 2: 12% Silver diamine fluoride every 6 months. Group 3: 38% Silver diamine fluoride every 12 months. Group 4: 38% Silver diamine fluoride every 6 months |
1) Difference in caries arrest rate from baseline. (2) Changes in oral hygiene-related behaviors from baseline. (3) Effect of SDF on plaque. |
(1) Caries arrest rate: Group 1-55.2%, Group 2-58.6%, Group 3-66.9%, Group 4-75.7% (2) All groups showed a change in oral hygiene behaviors from baseline, with no significant difference among groups. (3) Concentration of SDF and frequency of application significantly affected Visual Plaque Index scores. |
| Yee et al.[17]; 2009; Nepal | Kindergarten and primary school; Randomized Controlled Trial; 24 months | Not mentioned 3 to 9/5.2±1.2 | Baseline n=976; Lost to follow-up n=68 (7%) at 6 months n=208 (21.3%) at 12 months n=342 (35%) at 24 months | Group 1: Single application of 38% SDF alone. Group 2: Single application of 38% SDF with tannic acid as reducing agent. Group 3: Single application of 12% SDF alone. Group 4: (Control) No treatment. |
Change in active carious surfaces to arrested caries surfaces post-treatment | Mean number of arrested caries: Group 1-2.1, Group 2-2.2, Group 3-1.5, Group 4-1. There was no significant difference between 38% SDF with or without reducing agent in arresting active caries |
| Chu et al.[7]; 2002; China | 8 kindergartens; Controlled clinical trial; 30 months | Not mentioned 3-5/4±0.8 | Baseline n=375; Lost to follow-up n=67 (18%) at 30 months | Group 1: 38% SDF with caries excavation. Group 2: 38% SDF without caries excavation. Group 3: 5% sodium fluoride with caries excavation. Group 4: 5% sodium fluoride without caries excavation. Group 5: water (Control) |
(1) Number of new and arrested carious tooth surface. (2) Black and nonblack arrested carious lesion |
(1) Mean numbers of arrested carious tooth surfaces: Group 1-2.5, Group 2-2.8, Group 3-1.5, Group 4-1.5, Group 5-1.3. There were statistically significant differences in the mean number of arrested carious tooth surfaces among the five treatment groups. (2) Children who received an annual application of SDF had a higher proportion of their arrested caries appearing black. |
| Llodra et al.[18]; 2005; Cuba | Schools; Controlled clinical trial; 36 months | Children above 6 years of age; 6 or more/6.29±0.48 | Baseline n=452; Lost to follow-up n=79 (17.5%) at 36 months | Group 1: 38% SDF group. Group 2: Regular group on Sodium fluoride applications. |
Mean number of new decayed surfaces appearing in primary teeth | Mean number of new decayed surfaces: Group 1-0.29, Group 2-1.43 |