The National Call to Action to Promote Oral Health calls for building the science base and accelerating science transfer. This encourages the effective transfer of science into public health practice. Furthermore, the development of best practices should apply science to achieve effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability. Practitioners need to understand the science that may influence the development, delivery, and evaluation of strategies and services to improve oral health. The State of the Science information on this site focuses on scientific research studies and analyses that provide evidence on the effectiveness and/or the efficiency of dental public health strategies and methods.



Announcements

The Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD) Fluorides Committee Research Brief: Fluoride Varnish: An Evidence-based Approach. The ASTDD Fluorides Committee reviewed the evidence for fluoride varnish programs, especially in community-based settings, and developed a research brief for health professionals (including dental professionals) and health advisory committee members. 
Full Report

The National Research Council's report on Fluoride in drinking water: Fluoride in Drinking Water: A Scientific Review of EPA's Standards. As part of the requirement under the Safe Drinking Water Act to periodically assess its drinking water guidelines, EPA requested the National Research Council conduct an independent study on whether the EPA guidelines for fluoride are adequate to protect public health.
Full Report



Access to Scientific Publications and Presentations

Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Oral Health Resources
Journal Articles by Topic
Resource Library

International Association for Dental Research and American Association for Dental Research
IADR Abstract Search 
IADR Publications


 

Dental Caries Management

Bader JD, Shugars DA. The Evidence Supporting Alternative Management Strategies For Early Occlusal Caries and Suspected Occlusal Dentinal Caries. J Evid Base Dent Pract 2006;6:91-100. Full text available online.

Bellinger DC, Trachtenberg F, Barregard L, et al. Neuropsychological and Renal Effects of Dental Amalgam in Children - A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA April 19, 2006;295(15):1775-1783. Abstract available online.

DeRouen TA, Martin MD, Leroux BG, et al. Neurobehavioral Effects of Dental Amalgam in Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA April 19, 2006;295(15):1784-92. Abstract available online.

NIH Consensus Statement on Dental Caries Management. Full text available online.

Horowitz, AM. A Report on the NIH Consensus Development Conference on Diagnosis and Management of Dental Caries Throughout Life. J Dent Res 83 (Supplement 1):C15. Full text available online.

Pitts NB. Modern Concepts of Caries Measurement. J Dent Res July 1, 2004;83(suppl_1):C43 - C47. Full text available online.

Rozier RG. Effectiveness of Methods Used by Dental Professionals for the Primary Prevention of Dental Caries. Journal of Dental Education 2001; 65(10):1063-72. Full text available online.


Fluoridation / Community Water Fluoridation

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommendations for using fluoride to prevent and control dental caries in the United States. MMWR 2001;50(RR-14):1-42. Full text available online.

Guide to Community Preventive Services – Systematic Reviews & Recommendations / Oral Health. Website: http://www.thecommunityguide.org/oral/default.htm

Truman BI, et al., The Task Force on Community Preventive Services. Reviews of Evidence on Interventions to Prevent Dental Caries, Oral and Pharyngeal Cancers, and Sports-Related Craniofacial Injuries. Am J Prev Med 2002;23(1S):21-54. Full text available online.

O’Connell JM, Brunson D, Anselmo T, Sullivan PW. Costs and savings associated with community water fluoridation programs in Colorado. Prev Chronic Dis 2005 Nov. Full text available online.

Committee on Fluoride in Drinking Water, National Research Council. Fluoride in Drinking Water: A Scientific Review of EPA's Standards. March 2006. Complete report available online.


Fluoride Mouthrinse

Marinho VCC, Higgins JPT, Logan S, Sheiham A. Fluoride mouthrinses for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2003, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD002284. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002284. Abstract available online.

Marinho VCC, Higgins JPT, Logan S, Sheiham A. Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2003, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD002782. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002782. Abstract available online.

Marinho VCC, Higgins JPT, Sheiham A, Logan S. One topical fluoride (toothpastes, or mouthrinses, or gels, or varnishes) versus another for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2004, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD002780. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002780.pub2. Abstract available online.

Marinho VCC, Higgins JPT, Sheiham A, Logan S. Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2004, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD002781.pub2. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002781.pub2. Abstract available online.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommendations for using fluoride to prevent and control dental caries in the United States. MMWR 2001;50(RR-14):1-42. Full text available online.


Fluoride Toothpaste and Gel

American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs. Professionally applied topical fluoride: Evidence-based clinical recommendations. J Am Dent Assoc 2006;137(8):1151-59. Full article available online.

Marinho VCC, Higgins JPT, Logan S, Sheiham A. Fluoride toothpastes for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2003, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD002278. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002278. Abstract available online.

Marinho VCC, Higgins JPT, Logan S, Sheiham A. Fluoride gels for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2002, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD002280. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002280. Abstract available online.

Marinho VCC, Higgins JPT, Logan S, Sheiham A. Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2003, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD002782. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002782. Abstract available online.

Marinho VCC, Higgins JPT, Sheiham A, Logan S. One topical fluoride (toothpastes, or mouthrinses, or gels, or varnishes) versus another for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2004, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD002780. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002780.pub2. Abstract available online.

Marinho VCC, Higgins JPT, Sheiham A, Logan S. Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2004, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD002781.pub2. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002781.pub2. Abstract available online.


Fluoride Varnish

Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD) Fluorides Committee. Fluoride Varnish: An Evidence-based Approach. Research Brief. September 2007.  Full report available online.

Weintraub JA, Ramos-Gomez F, Jue B, Shain S, Hoover CI, Featherstone JDB, Gansky SA. Fluoride Varnish Efficacy in Preventing Early Childhood Caries. J. Dent. Res. 2006 85: 172-176. Abstract available online.

American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs. Professionally applied topical fluoride: Evidence-based clinical recommendations. J Am Dent Assoc 2006;137(8):1151-59. Full article available online.

Marinho VCC, Higgins JPT, Logan S, Sheiham A. Fluoride varnishes for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2002, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD002279. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002279. Abstract available online.

Marinho VCC, Higgins JPT, Logan S, Sheiham A. Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2003, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD002782. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002782. Abstract available online.

Marinho VCC, Higgins JPT, Sheiham A, Logan S. One topical fluoride (toothpastes, or mouthrinses, or gels, or varnishes) versus another for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2004, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD002780. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002780.pub2. Abstract available online.

Marinho VCC, Higgins JPT, Sheiham A, Logan S. Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2004, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD002781.pub2. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002781.pub2. Abstract available online.

Rozier RG. Effectiveness of Methods used by Dental Professionals for the Primary Prevention of Dental Caries: A Review of the Evidence. Full text available online.

Helfenstein U, Steiner M. Fluoride varnishes (Duraphat): a meta-analysis. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 1994;22:1-5. Abstract available online.

Holm A-K. Effect of fluoride varnish (Duraphat) in preschool children. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 1979;7:241-5. Abstract available online.

Lewis C, Lynch H, Richardson L. Fluoride Varnish Use in Primary Care: What Do Providers Think? Pediatrics 2005;115;69-76. Full text available online.

The Center to Address Disparities in Children’s Oral Health (The “CAN DO” Center). Prevention of Early Childhood Caries Using Fluoride Varnish. (The purpose of this study is to test the efficacy of fluoride varnish brushed onto the teeth to prevent tooth decay in young children. ) Website: http://www.ucsf.edu/cando/project1.html


Periodontal Disease and Pregnancy

Xiong X, Buekens P, Fraser W, Beck J, Offenbacher S. Periodontal disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes: a systematic review. BJOG. 2006 Feb;113(2):135-43. Full article available online.

Offenbacher S, Boggess K, Murtha A, Jared H, Lieff S, McKaig R, Mauriello S, Moss K, Beck J. Progressive Periodontal Disease and Risk of Very Preterm Delivery. Obstetrics & Gynecology 2006 Jan;107(1):29-36. Full article available online.

Qureshi A, Ijaz S, Syed A, Qureshi A, Khan AA. Periodontal infection: a potential risk factor for pre-term delivery of low birth weight (PLBW) babies. J Pak Med Assoc. 2005 Oct;55(10):448-52. Review. Abstract available online.


Sealants / School-based Dental Sealant Programs

Gooch BF, et al., Preventing dental caries through school-based sealant programs: updated recommendations and review of evidence. J Am Dent Assoc 2009;140(11):1356-65. Full article available online.

Beauchamp J, et al., Evidence-based clinical recommendations for the use of pit and fissure sealants: a report of the American Dental Association Council of Scientific Affairs. J Am Dent Assoc 2008;139(3):257-68. Full article available online.

Hiiri A, Ahovuo-Saloranta A, Nordblad A, Mäkelä M. Pit and fissure sealants versus fluoride varnishes for preventing dental decay in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2006, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD003067. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003067.pub2. Abstract available online.

Uribe S. Sealants recommended to prevent caries. Evid Based Dent. 2004;5(4):93-4. Abstract available online.

Ahovuo-Saloranta A, Hiiri A, Nordblad A, Worthington H, Mäkelä M.. Pit and fissure sealants for preventing dental decay in the permanent teeth of children and adolescents. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2004, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD001830.pub2. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001830.pub2. Abstract available online. 

Truman BI, et al., The Task Force on Community Preventive Services. Reviews of Evidence on Interventions to Prevent Dental Caries, Oral and Pharyngeal Cancers, and Sports-Related Craniofacial Injuries. Am J Prev Med 2002;23(1S):21-54. Full text available online. 

Weintraub JA. Risk and Fissure Sealants in High Risk Caries Individuals. NIH Consensus Development Conference, March 26, 2001. Full text available online.


Surveillance / Surveillance System

Beltran-Aguilar ED, Malvitz DM, Lockwood SA, Rozier RG, Tomar SL. Oral health surveillance: past, present, and future challenges. J Public Health Dent 2003;63(3):141-9. Abstract available online.

Beltrán ED, Malvitz DM, Eklund SA. Validity of two methods for assessing oral health status in populations. J Public Health Dent 1997;57:206-14. Abstract available online.

Burt BA. How useful are cross-sectional data from surveys of dental caries. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 1997; 25:36-41. Abstract available online.

Griffin SO, Griffin PM, Beltran-Aguilar ED, Malvitz DM, Heiden KD. Estimating prevalence and severity of caries in the mixed dentition: a comparison of two screening protocols. J Public Health Dent 2004;64(1):14-19. Abstract available online.


Xylitol

Makinen KK. Sugar alcohols, caries incidence, and remineralization of caries lesions: a literature review. Int J Dent 2010;2010:981072. Epub 2010 Jan 5. Abstract available online.

Van Loveren C. Sugar alcohols: what is the evidence for caries-preventive and caries-therapeutics effects? Caries Res 2004;38(3):286-93. Abstract available online. 

Hayes C. The effect of non-cariogenic sweeteners on the prevention of dental caries: A review of the evidence. J Dent Educ 2001;65(10):1106-09. Full text available online. 

Edgar WM. Sugar substitutes, chewing gum and dental caries - a review. Br Dent J 1998;184(1):29-32. Abstract available online.

 

Links of Interest

The role of evidence in formulating public health programs to prevent oral disease and promote oral health in the U.S.
The article in J Evid Base Dent Pract concluded that initiating and sustaining programs to prevent disease and improve the oral health of populations demands evidence that documents the importance of the health problems, the effectiveness of proposed interventions, and the impact and efficiency of programs.

American Dental Association Research Agenda
The ADA Council on Scientific Affairs develops an annual Research Agenda to enumerate specific procedures for enhancing the process by which science is transferred into clinical application.

American Dental Association Science in the News
ADA Division of Science staff review articles from the popular press to identify scientific development of importance to dentistry.  Science in the News features a summary of each article's principal points, perspectives on the reported findings, and practical information on how the findings may have an impact on dentistry.

ADA Center for Evidence-Based Dentistry
The Center provides systematically assessed tools and resources to support clinical decisions.

Centre for Evidence-Based Dentistry
The Centre for Evidence-based Dentistry is an independent body whose aim is to promote the teaching, learning, practice and evaluation of evidence-based dentistry world-wide.

Cochrane Library
The Cochrane Library consists of a regularly updated collection of evidence-based medicine databases, including The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Browse abstracts of reviews online free of charge

Cochrane Oral Health Group
The Cochrane Oral Health Review Group is comprised of an international network of healthcare professionals, researchers, and consumers who prepare, maintain, and disseminate systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials in oral health.

PubMed
PubMed is a service of the National Library of Medicine that includes over 16 million citations from MEDLINE and other life science journals for biomedical articles back to the 1950s. PubMed includes links to full text articles and other related resources.

Guide to Community Preventive Services
Evidence-based recommendations for programs and policies to promote population health. Includes systematic reviews of the effectiveness of selected population-based interventions addressing oral health.

Journal of Dental Research
The Journal of Dental Research^® is dedicated to the dissemination of new knowledge and information on all sciences relevant to dentistry and to the oral cavity and associated structures in health and disease. Content is open access online and free.

NIDCR/CDC Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Data Resource Center (DCR)The DRC serves as a resource on dental, oral and craniofacial data for the oral health research community, clinical practitioners, public health planners and policy makers, advocates and the general public.

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
The U.S. Public Health Service convened an independent panel of experts in primary care and prevention to systematically review the evidence of effectiveness and to develop recommendations for clinical preventive services (including dental caries in preschool children, oral cancer, and tobacco use).

World Health Organization (WHO) Global Oral Health Programme
The WHO Global Oral Health Programme focuses on stimulating oral health research in the developed and developing world to reduce risk factors and the burden of oral disease, and to improve oral health systems and the effectiveness of community oral health programmes. An article on the priorities for research for oral health in the 21st Century is provided online.