4. Investigations of test type, dentition, and potential sources of heterogeneity in all studies.
| Test | Datasets | Tooth surfaces (caries) | DOR (95% CI) | RDOR (95% CI) | P value (LR) |
| Difference between blue, green, and red fluorescence | |||||
| Blue | 21 | 3429 (2163) | 18.47 (10.59 to 32.20) | 1.0 (comparator) | 0.14 |
| Green | 9 | 3340 (1276) | 19.49 (9.01 to 42.18) | 1.06 (0.41 to 2.73) | |
| Red | 84 | 14,514 (8705) | 12.75 (9.74 to 16.68) | 0.69 (0.37 to 1.28) | |
| Difference between permanent/mixed and primary dentition | |||||
| Permanent/mixed | 74 | 13,427 (7195) | 15.21 (11.35 to 20.37) | 1.0 (comparator) | 0.19 |
| Primary | 40 | 6024 (3885) | 12.34 (8.44 to 18.04) | 0.81 (0.50 to 1.31) | |
| Difference between prevalence of dentine caries in sample (low 14%, medium 15% to 34%, high ≥ 35%) | |||||
| Low | 26 | 7899 (4118) | 11.10 (6.88 to 17.91) | 0.76 (0.39 to 1.48) | 0.32 |
| Medium | 57 | 8868 (5057) | 15.39 (11.07 to 21.41) | 1.05 (0.59 to 1.86) | |
| High | 31 | 3688 (2593) | 14.59 (9.18 to 23.22) | 1.0 (comparator) | |
| Difference between occlusal, proximal, and smooth surfaces | |||||
| Occlusal | 89 | 15,204 (9252) | 14.29 (10.92 to 18.72) | 1.10 (0.59 to 2.02) | 0.62 |
| Proximal | 18 | 3490 (1983) | 13.06 (7.52 to 22.67) | 1.0 (comparator) | |
| Smooth | 7 | 2277 (919) | 13.41 (5.58 to 32.25) | 1.03 (0.36 to 2.90) | |
| Difference in reference standard | |||||
| Histology/excavation | 83 | 7875 (5609) | 13.49 (10.25 to 17.76) | 1.0 (comparator) | 0.06 |
| Visual | 25 | 10,762 (5282) | 19.32 (12.37 to 30.17) | 1.43 (0.85 to 2.41) | |
| Radiography | 6 | 1505 (639) | 6.21 (2.58 to 14.97) | 0.46 (0.18 to 1.16) | |
| Difference between multiple or single sites per tooth | |||||
| Multiple | 24 | 4371 (2999) | 9.46 (5.91 to 15.14) | 0.59 (0.35 to 1.02) | 0.06 |
| Single | 90 | 16,666 (9189) | 15.96 (12.26 to 20.77) | 1.0 (comparator) | |
CI = confidence interval; DOR = diagnostic odds ratio; LR = likelihood ratio; RDOR = relative diagnostic odds ratio.