A scoping review of guidelines on caries management for children and young people to inform UK undergraduate core curriculum development

Faith Campbell; Helen Rogers; Rachel Goldsmith; Kathryn Rowles; Daniela Prócida Raggio; Nicola Innes

doi:10.1186/s12903-024-04278-7

A scoping review of guidelines on caries management for children and young people to inform UK undergraduate core curriculum development

BMC Oral Health. 2024 Apr 26;24(1):494. doi: 10.1186/s12903-024-04278-7.

Authors

Faith Campbell¹, Helen Rogers², Rachel Goldsmith³, Kathryn Rowles⁴, Daniela Prócida Raggio⁵, Nicola Innes⁶

Affiliations

¹ Doctoral Fellow, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK. fcampbell001@dundee.ac.uk.
² Clinical Lecturer in Paediatric Dentistry, School of Dental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK.
³ Specialty Registrar in Paediatric Dentistry, Newcastle Dental Hospital, Newcastle, UK.
⁴ Clinical Lecturer in Paediatric Dentistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
⁵ Department of Paediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
⁶ Paediatric Dentistry, Honorary Consultant and Head of Cardiff Dental School, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.

Abstract

Background: Current evidence in cariology teaching is not consistently reflected in paediatric dentistry in the United Kingdom (UK). Many dental schools are not consistently teaching biological approaches to caries management, with outdated or complex methods being taught outwith the purview of general dental practitioners. This scoping review aimed to map current guidelines on the management of caries in children and young people. This is part of a work package to inform the consensus and development of a UK-wide caries management curriculum for paediatric dentistry.

Methods: A search of electronic databases for peer reviewed literature was performed using Cochrane Library, MEDLINE via PubMed, TRIP Medical Database and Web of Science. Hand searching was undertaken for grey literature (citations of sources of evidence, websites of global organisations and Google Web Search™ (Google LLC, California, USA). Results from databases were screened independently, concurrently by two reviewers. Full texts were obtained, and reviewers met to discuss any disagreement for both database and hand searching.

Results: This review identified 16 guidelines suitable for inclusion. After quality appraisal, eight were selected for synthesis and interpretation. Key themes included the shift towards selective caries removal and avoidance of complete caries removal unless in specific circumstances in anterior teeth. For "early lesions" in primary and permanent teeth with and without cavitation, several guidelines recommend biological management including site specific prevention and fissure sealants.

Conclusions: This review mapping current cariology guidelines for children and young people found gaps in the literature including classification of early carious lesions and management of early cavitated lesions. Areas identified for further exploration include integration of biological caries management into treatment planning, selective caries removal and whether pulpotomy is specialist-level treatment, requiring referral. These results will inform consensus recommendations in the UK, using Delphi methods.

Keywords: Cariology; Dental caries; Dental education; Paediatric dentistry.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Child
Curriculum*
Dental Care for Children
Dental Caries* / prevention & control
Dental Caries* / therapy
Education, Dental / standards
Humans
Pediatric Dentistry / education
Practice Guidelines as Topic*
United Kingdom