Summary of findings 4. Comparison 7. Rubber dam + HVE compared to HVE for reduction in the level of contamination in aerosols.
| Rubber dam + HVE compared to no rubber dam + HVE for reduction in the level of contamination in aerosols | ||||||
| Population: people undergoing aerosol generating procedures Setting: closed dental operatory Intervention: rubber dam + HVE Comparison: no rubber dam + HVE | ||||||
| Outcomes | Anticipated absolute effects* (95% CI) | Relative effect (95% CI) | Number of participants (studies) | Certainty of the evidence (GRADE) | Comments | |
| Risk with no rubber dam + HVE | Risk with rubber dam + HVE | |||||
| Rate of infection of dental staff or patients | Not reported | |||||
| Reduction in volume of contaminated aerosols in the operative environment | Not reported | |||||
|
Reduction in level of contamination in aerosols during restorative procedures at participant's chest |
The mean CFU level was 280.00 | MD 251 CFU lower (267.95 lower to 234.05 lower) | ‐ | 21 (1 RCT)a | ⊕⊝⊝⊝ VERY LOW 1 | |
|
Reduction in level of contamination in aerosols during restorative procedures at dental unit light |
The mean CFU level was 13.00 | MD 12.70 CFU lower (12.85 lower to 12.55 lower) | ‐ | 21 (1 RCT)a | ⊕⊝⊝⊝ VERY LOW 1 | |
| *The risk in the intervention group (and its 95% CI) is based on the assumed risk in the comparison group and the relative effect of the intervention (and its 95% CI). CFU: colony forming units; CI: confidence interval; MD: mean difference; RCT: randomized controlled trial | ||||||
| GRADE Working Group grades of evidence High certainty: We are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect Moderate certainty: We are moderately confident in the effect estimate: The true effect is likely to be close to the estimate of the effect, but there is a possibility that it is substantially different Low certainty: Our confidence in the effect estimate is limited: The true effect may be substantially different from the estimate of the effect Very low certainty: We have very little confidence in the effect estimate: The true effect is likely to be substantially different from the estimate of effect | ||||||
1. Downgraded 2 levels for unclear risk of selection and reporting bias and high risk of detection bias, and 2 levels for imprecision due to small sample size reported in a single study