The association of sleep disturbances with burning mouth syndrome: An overlooked relationship-A qualitative systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: To review the relevant literature to assess whether patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS) are more prone to have sleep disturbances than general population. METHODS: The literature search for relevant articles was from July 2020 to March 2021. A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, Cochrane library, Dentistry & Oral Sciences Source, and Scopus was conducted to search for relevant studies. The quality of studies was assessed in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute's guidelines and using the software SUMARI-The System for the Unified Management, Assessment and Review of Information. Confidence in the findings was assessed using the GRADE-CERQual approach. RESULTS: A total of 1064 studies were initially identified from the search; six studies, two cross-sectional and four case-control, met the inclusion criteria and were selected for this systematic review. Sleep disturbances were a required outcome measured in selected studies evaluating symptoms of BMS. For studies that were included in the final analyses, BMS was found to relate to several dimensions of sleep including sleep disturbance and duration (n = 6), sleep affecting daytime function (n = 4), sleep quality (n = 6), sleep efficiency (n = 4), and ability to fall asleep (n = 4). Consistent evidence of moderate confidence found that BMS was associated with greater sleep disturbance, reduced sleep quality, increased time taken to fall asleep, reduced sleep efficiency, and poor daytime function, whereas evidence of low confidence was found regarding the association of BMS with reduced sleep duration. CONCLUSIONS: Although the presented studies could not establish a direct causal relationship between BMS and sleep disturbances, it supports the evidence that sleep disturbance is associated with symptoms of BMS. Management strategies to improve sleep may be considered in future research for managing BMS patients.

Counselling users of hearing technology: a comprehensive literature review.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this review is to determine the scope of peer-reviewed empirical research related to counselling in audiology with patients using hearing technology and to identify limitations and gaps to guide recommendations for future research. DESIGN: A rapid evidence assessment was used to identify relevant articles for the review. STUDY SAMPLE: Eighteen articles met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Three themes were identified: (1) audiologist counselling perspectives, (2) counselling communication trends in practice and (3) audiologist experiences with professional training and reported patient outcomes. Findings revealed audiologists are more confident providing information than counselling that addresses adjustment aspects, and other communication gaps have been observed. CONCLUSIONS: There is limited research related to counselling in audiology. Audiologists continue to report a need for more training in counselling in their graduate programmes. Additional research is needed to determine effective ways to implement counselling in practice and to improve graduate student supervision for the development of counselling competencies and confidence in using skills in practice.

Is zirconia surface etching a viable alternative to airborne particle abrasion? A systematic review and meta-analysis of in vitro studies.

OBJECTIVES: This systematic review aimed to determine the effectiveness of various etching surface treatments on zirconia bond strength with the following research question: "Can zirconia etching serve as a viable alternative to airborne particle abrasion (APA) for achieving reliable bonding?". DATA: In vitro studies comparing APA, performed with either conventional or silica-coated aluminum oxide (Al2O3) particles, with various etching protocols in terms of bonding performance were included. The risk of bias of the included studies was assessed using the QUIN's tool for in vitro studies. Meta-analyses were performed using RevMan; random-effects models were applied, and heterogeneity was tested using the I2 index. The significance level was set at p < 0.05. SOURCES: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across electronic databases, including Clarivate Analytics' Web of Science, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PubMed, Scopus and ProQuest. STUDY SELECTION: Fifty-four relevant articles were included in this systematic review. According to the QUIN's tool, 7 studies were rated as "high risk of bias", 46 studies were rated as "medium risk", and 1 study was rated as "low risk". Nineteen studies were used for meta-analyses. Mostly, APA demonstrated significantly higher bond strength compared to various etching protocols (p < 0.05). However, no statistical difference was found between APA and high concentrations (40-48 %) of hydrofluoric acid (HF) in terms of immediate- and medium-term bond strength to resin composite (p > 0.05). On enamel, an experimental hot etching solution performed significantly better than APA in short-term follow-up (p < 0.05). A novel multi-acid solution exhibited significantly higher immediate shear bond strength to resin cement than APA (p < 0.05). Variable heterogeneity, ranging from low to high, was observed. CONCLUSIONS: APA remains the surface treatment with the strongest evidence in the literature and it is usually more efficacious than zirconia etching. However, highly concentrated HF and an experimental hot etching solution have demonstrated similar or significantly higher bond strength values over time compared to APA, depending on the adhesive substrate. A recently introduced multi-acid solution (Zircos-E) needs to be further explored, especially in regards to long-term bond durability. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This systematic review provides a comprehensive analysis of the existing in vitro evidence on the potential of zirconia etching and the bond durability of resin-based materials after artificial aging. Selecting appropriate surface treatment protocols is crucial for achieving optimal clinical outcomes.

Antibiotic Prophylaxis and Infective Endocarditis Incidence Following Invasive Dental Procedures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Importance: The association between antibiotic prophylaxis and infective endocarditis after invasive dental procedures is still unclear. Indications for antibiotic prophylaxis were restricted by guidelines beginning in 2007. Objective: To systematically review and analyze existing evidence on the association between antibiotic prophylaxis and infective endocarditis following invasive dental procedures. Data Sources: PubMed, Cochrane-CENTRAL, Scopus, Web of Science, Proquest, Embase, Dentistry and Oral Sciences Source, and ClinicalTrials.gov were systematically searched from inception to May 2023. Study Selection: Studies on the association between antibiotic prophylaxis and infective endocarditis following invasive dental procedures or time-trend analyses of infective endocarditis incidence before and after current antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines were included. Data Extraction and Synthesis: Study quality was evaluated using structured tools. Data were extracted by independent observers. A pooled relative risk (RR) of developing infective endocarditis following invasive dental procedures in individuals who were receiving antibiotic prophylaxis vs those who were not was computed by random-effects meta-analysis. Main Outcomes and Measures: The outcome of interest was the incidence of infective endocarditis following invasive dental procedures in relation to antibiotic prophylaxis. Results: Of 11 217 records identified, 30 were included (1 152 345 infective endocarditis cases). Of them, 8 (including 12 substudies) were either case-control/crossover or cohort studies or self-controlled case series, while 22 were time-trend studies; all were of good quality. Eight of the 12 substudies with case-control/crossover, cohort, or self-controlled case series designs performed a formal statistical analysis; 5 supported a protective role of antibiotic prophylaxis, especially among individuals at high risk, while 3 did not. By meta-analysis, antibiotic prophylaxis was associated with a significantly lower risk of infective endocarditis after invasive dental procedures in individuals at high risk (pooled RR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.29-0.57; P for heterogeneity = .51; I2, 0%). Nineteen of the 22 time-trend studies performed a formal pre-post statistical analysis; 9 found no significant changes in infective endocarditis incidence, 7 demonstrated a significant increase for the overall population or subpopulations (individuals at high and moderate risk, streptococcus-infective endocarditis, and viridans group streptococci-infective endocarditis), whereas 3 found a significant decrease for the overall population and among oral streptococcus-infective endocarditis. Conclusions and Relevance: While results from time-trend studies were inconsistent, data from case-control/crossover, cohort, and self-controlled case series studies showed that use of antibiotic prophylaxis is associated with reduced risk of infective endocarditis following invasive dental procedures in individuals at high risk, while no association was proven for those at low/unknown risk, thereby supporting current American Heart Association and European Society of Cardiology recommendations. Currently, there is insufficient data to support any benefit of antibiotic prophylaxis in individuals at moderate risk.

World Workshop on Oral Medicine VIII: Dentists' compliance with infective endocarditis prophylaxis guidelines for patients with high-risk cardiac conditions: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To determine dentists' awareness and/or adherence to antibiotic prophylaxis (AP) guidelines for preventing infective endocarditis (IE) in patients with high-risk heart conditions. STUDY DESIGN: A systematic literature review was performed on MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Proquest, Embase, Dentistry, and Oral Sciences Source databases, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist. Nationwide studies based on questionnaires, surveys, and interviews completed by dentists and published since 2007 were included. RESULTS: From 2907 articles screened, 28 studies were selected (across 20 countries). The quality of included studies was poor due to a lack of standard evaluation tools, low response rates, and lack of questionnaire validity and/or reliability. Approximately 75% of surveyed dentists reported being knowledgeable about AP guidelines, but only ∼25% complied. Reported compliance with American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines was 4 times higher than with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommendations. Some of the highest adherence rates were reported for other national AP guidelines. Significant geographic differences were observed in the estimated adherence to AHA guidelines and the percentage of dentists who reported seeking advice from physicians and/or cardiologists. CONCLUSION: Rates of compliance and/or adherence were substantially different from rates of knowledge and/or awareness, including relevant geographic dissimilarities. Compliance/adherence was higher for AHA than NICE.

Forbidding your cake and eating it too: health performance strategies in U.S. middle class families.

Interviewing 67 primarily middle-class parents and children in a southern U.S. city, we learned that families know a great deal about the dangers of excess sugar consumption. However, in the private spaces of family life, families let down their guard and enjoy sugary treats, often treating them as symbolic markers of love and comfort. Theoretical concepts emerging from the dramaturgical perspective of Erving Goffman (1959) and from contemporary symbolic interactionists illuminate how sugar consumption is simultaneously shunned and celebrated in private family life. Moving beyond previous research, we track the ways sugary products facilitate love, sanity, and privacy to make daily family life bearable for both parents and children. We call the rhetorical and physical practices that enable excusable sugar indulgence Health Performance Strategies. Our findings on how families engage in these health performance strategies have broader implications for many other efforts to govern the health habits of families.

Efficacy of Antibiotics Used as an Adjunct in the Treatment of Peri-implant Mucositis and Peri-implantitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: This systematic review aimed to assess the clinical efficacy of antibiotics when used as an adjunct in treating peri-implant diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic search of papers published between January 1980 and March 2020 was conducted. Randomized clinical trials with at least 10 patients who had peri-implant diseases, treated with or without adjunctive antibiotics in combination with surgical or nonsurgical therapies, and with a minimum of at least 3 months of follow-up were included. Meta-analyses were conducted to analyze weighted mean differences in probing depth reduction, radiographic bone level gain, and odds ratio of treatment success. RESULTS: From the 856 articles identified, 10 articles met the inclusion criteria and were selected. Of these, 7 articles were used for the meta-analysis. The adjunctive use of antibiotics in the treatment of peri-implant diseases yielded significantly greater probing depth reduction (weighted mean differences = 0.56 mm at 3 months, P = .001; 0.77 mm at 6 months, P < .00001; 0.92 mm at 12 months, P < .00001), radiographic bone level gain (weighted mean differences = 0.64 mm, P = .03), and treatment success (odds ratio = 1.74, P = .04) compared to the same treatment without antibiotics. CONCLUSION: Based on the existing evidence, the use of adjunctive antibiotics to treat peri-implant diseases, especially peri-implantitis, provided potential benefits in clinical outcomes for up to 12 months posttherapy.

Primary Tooth Vital Pulp Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed outcomes in primary teeth for the vital pulp therapy (VPT) options of indirect pulp therapy (IPT), direct pulp capping (DPC), and pulpotomy after a minimum of 12 months to determine whether one VPT was superior. METHODS: The following databases were searched from 1960 to September 2016: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, EBSCO, ICTRP, Dissertation abstracts, and grey literature for parallel and split-mouth randomized controlled trials of at least 12 months duration comparing the success of IPT, DPC, and pulpotomy in children with deep caries in primary teeth. Our primary outcome measure was overall success (combined clinical and radiographic). Three authors determined the included RCTs, performed data extraction, and assessed the risk of bias (ROB). Meta-analysis and assignment of quality of evidence by Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach were done. RESULTS: Forty-one articles qualified for meta-analysis (six IPT, four DPC, and 31 pulpotomy) from 322 screened articles. The 24-month success rates were: IPT=94.4 percent, and the liner material (calcium hydroxide [CH]/bonding agents) had no effect on success (P=0.88), based on a moderate quality of evidence; DP =88.8 percent, and the capping agent (CH/alternate agent) did not affect success (P=0.56), based on a low quality of evidence. The combined success rate for all pulpotomies was 82.6 percent based on 1,022 teeth. Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) (89.6 percent) and formocresol (FC) (85.0 percent) success rates were the highest of all pulpotomy types and were not significantly different (P=0.15), with a high quality of evidence. MTA's success rate (92.2 percent) was higher than ferric sulfate (FS) (79.3 percent) and approached significance (P=0.06), while FS's success rate (84.8 percent) was not significantly different from FC (87.1 percent), both with a moderate quality of evidence. MTA and FC success rates were significantly better than CH (P=0.0001), with a moderate quality of evidence. At 18 months, sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) success rate was significantly less than FC (P=0.01) with a low quality of evidence. CONCLUSIONS: The highest level of success and quality of evidence supported IPT and the pulpotomy techniques of MTA and FC for the treatment of deep caries in primary teeth after 24-months. DPC showed similar success rates to IPT and MTA or FC pulpotomy, but the quality of the evidence was lower. Systematic Review Registration Number: PROSPERO 2015: CRD42015006942.

Use of Vital Pulp Therapies in Primary Teeth with Deep Caries Lesions.

PURPOSE: This manuscript presents evidence-based guidance on the use of vital pulp therapies for treatment of deep caries lesions in children. A guideline panel convened by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry formulated evidence-based recommendations on three vital pulp therapies: indirect pulp treatment (IPT; also known as indirect pulp cap), direct pulp cap (DPC), and pulpotomy. METHODS: The basis of the guideline's recommendations was evidence from "Primary Tooth Vital Pulp Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis." (Pediatr Dent 2017;15;39[1]:16-23.) A systematic search was conducted in PubMed®/MEDLINE, Embase®, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and trial databases to identify randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews addressing peripheral issues of vital pulp therapies such as patient preferences of treatment and impact of cost. Quality of the evidence was assessed through the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach; the evidence-to-decision framework was used to formulate a recommendation. RESULTS: The panel was unable to make a recommendation on superiority of any particular type of vital pulp therapy owing to lack of studies directly comparing these interventions. The panel recommends use of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and formocresol in pulpotomy treatments; these are recommendations based on moderate-quality evidence at 24 months. The panel made weak recommendations regarding choice of medicament in both IPT (moderate-quality evidence [24 months], low quality evidence [48 months]) and DPC (very-low quality evidence [24 months]). Success of both treatments was independent of type of medicament used. The panel also recommends use of ferric sulfate (low-quality evidence), lasers (low-quality evidence), sodium hypochlorite (very low-quality evidence), and tricalcium silicate (very low-quality evidence) in pulpotomies; these are weak recommendations based on low-quality evidence. The panel recommended against the use of calcium hydroxide as pulpotomy medicament in primary teeth with deep caries lesions. Conclusions and practical implications: The guideline intends to inform the clinical practices with evidence-based recommendations on vital pulp therapies in primary teeth with deep caries lesions. These recommendations are based upon the best available evidence to-date.

Use of Silver Diamine Fluoride for Dental Caries Management in Children and Adolescents, Including Those with Special Health Care Needs.

BACKGROUND: This manuscript presents evidence-based guidance on the use of 38 percent silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for dental caries management in children and adolescents, including those with special health care needs. A guideline workgroup formed by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry developed guidance and an evidence-based recommendation regarding the application of 38 percent SDF to arrest cavitated caries lesions in primary teeth. TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEWED: The basis of the guideline's recommendation is evidence from an existing systematic review "Clinical trials of silver diamine fluoride in arresting caries among children: A systematic review." (JDR Clin Transl Res 2016;1[3]:201-10). A systematic search was conducted in PubMed®/MEDLINE, Embase®, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and gray literature databases to identify randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews reporting on the effect of silver diamine fluoride and address peripheral issues such as adverse effects and cost. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to assess the quality of the evidence and the evidence-to-decision framework was employed to formulate a recommendation. RESULTS: The panel made a conditional recommendation regarding the use of 38 percent SDF for the arrest of cavitated caries lesions in primary teeth as part of a comprehensive caries management program. After taking into consideration the low cost of the treatment and the disease burden of caries, panel members were confident that the benefits of SDF application in the target populations outweigh its possible undesirable effects. Per GRADE, this is a conditional recommendation based on low-quality evidence. Conclusions and practical implications: The guideline intends to inform the clinical practices involving the application of 38 percent SDF to enhance dental caries management outcomes in children and adolescents, including those with special health care needs. These recommended practices are based upon the best available evidence to-date. A 38 percent SDF protocol is included in Appendix II.

Sealants for preventing and arresting pit-and-fissure occlusal caries in primary and permanent molars: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials-a report of the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

BACKGROUND: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2012 data indicated that, in the United States, nearly one-fourth of children and over one-half of adolescents experienced dental caries in their permanent teeth. The purpose of this review was to summarize the available clinical evidence regarding the effect of dental sealants for the prevention and management of pit-and-fissure occlusal carious lesions in primary and permanent molars, compared with a control without sealants, with fluoride varnishes, or with other head-to head comparisons. TYPE OF STUDIES REVIEWED: The authors included parallel and split-mouth randomized controlled trials that included at least 2 years of follow-up, which they identified using MEDLINE (via PubMed), Embase, LILACS, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and registers of ongoing trials. Pairs of reviewers independently conducted the selection of studies, data extraction, risk of bias assessments, and quality of the evidence assessments by using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. RESULTS: Of 2,869 records screened, the authors determined that 24 articles (representing 23 studies) proved eligible. Moderate-quality evidence suggested that participants who received sealants had a reduced risk of developing carious lesions in occlusal surfaces of permanent molars compared with those who did not receive sealants (odds ratio [OR], 0.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.08-0.27) after 7 or more years of follow-up. When the authors compared studies whose investigators had compared sealants with fluoride varnishes, they found that sealants reduced the incidence of carious lesions after 7 or more years of follow-up (OR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.07-0.51); however, this finding was supported by low-quality evidence. On the basis of the evidence, the authors could not provide a hierarchy of effectiveness among the studies whose investigators had conducted head-to-head comparisons. The investigators of 2 trials provided information about adverse events, but they did not report any adverse events. CONCLUSIONS AND PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Available evidence suggests that sealants are effective and safe to prevent or arrest the progression of noncavitated carious lesions compared with a control without sealants or fluoride varnishes. Further research is needed to provide information about the relative merits of the different types of sealant materials.

Evidence-based clinical practice guideline for the use of pit-and-fissure sealants: A report of the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

BACKGROUND: This article presents evidence-based clinical recommendations for the use of pit-and-fissure sealants on the occlusal surfaces of primary and permanent molars in children and adolescents. A guideline panel convened by the American Dental Association (ADA) Council on Scientific Affairs and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry conducted a systematic review and formulated recommendations to address clinical questions in relation to the efficacy, retention, and potential side effects of sealants to prevent dental caries; their efficacy compared with fluoride varnishes; and a head-to-head comparison of the different types of sealant material used to prevent caries on pits and fissures of occlusal surfaces. TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEWED: This is an update of the ADA 2008 recommendations on the use of pit-and-fissure sealants on the occlusal surfaces of primary and permanent molars. The authors conducted a systematic search in MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and other sources to identify randomized controlled trials reporting on the effect of sealants (available on the US market) when applied to the occlusal surfaces of primary and permanent molars. The authors used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach to assess the quality of the evidence and to move from the evidence to the decisions. RESULTS: The guideline panel formulated 3 main recommendations. They concluded that sealants are effective in preventing and arresting pit-and-fissure occlusal carious lesions of primary and permanent molars in children and adolescents compared with the nonuse of sealants or use of fluoride varnishes. They also concluded that sealants could minimize the progression of noncavitated occlusal carious lesions (also referred to as initial lesions) that receive a sealant. Finally, based on the available limited evidence, the panel was unable to provide specific recommendations on the relative merits of 1 type of sealant material over the others. CONCLUSIONS AND PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: These recommendations are designed to inform practitioners during the clinical decision-making process in relation to the prevention of occlusal carious lesions in children and adolescents. Clinicians are encouraged to discuss the information in this guideline with patients or the parents of patients. The authors recommend that clinicians reorient their efforts toward increasing the use of sealants on the occlusal surfaces of primary and permanent molars in children and adolescents.

Sealants for Preventing and Arresting Pit-and-fissure Occlusal Caries in Primary and Permanent Molars.

BACKGROUND: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2012 data indicated that, in the United States, nearly onefourth of children and over one-half of adolescents experienced dental caries in their permanent teeth. The purpose of this review was to summarize the available clinical evidence regarding the effect of dental sealants for the prevention and management of pit-and-fissure occlusal carious lesions in primary and permanent molars, compared with a control without sealants, with fluoride varnishes, or with other head-to head comparisons. TYPE OF STUDIES REVIEWED: The authors included parallel and split-mouth randomized controlled trials that included at least 2 years of follow-up, which they identified using MEDLINE (via PubMed), Embase, LILACS, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and registers of ongoing trials. Pairs of reviewers independently conducted the selection of studies, data extraction, risk of bias assessments, and quality of the evidence assessments by using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. RESULTS: Of 2,869 records screened, the authors determined that 24 articles (representing 23 studies) proved eligible. Moderate-quality evidence suggested that participants who received sealants had a reduced risk of developing carious lesions in occlusal surfaces of permanent molars compared with those who did not receive sealants (odds ratio [OR], 0.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.08-0.27) after 7 or more years of follow-up. When the authors compared studies whose investigators had compared sealants with fluoride varnishes, they found that sealants reduced the incidence of carious lesions after 7 or more years of follow-up (OR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.07-0.51); however, this finding was supported by low-quality evidence. On the basis of the evidence, the authors could not provide a hierarchy of effectiveness among the studies whose investigators had conducted head-to-head comparisons. The investigators of 2 trials provided information about adverse events, but they did not report any adverse events. CONCLUSIONS AND PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Available evidence suggests that sealants are effective and safe to prevent or arrest the progression of noncavitated carious lesions compared with a control without sealants or fluoride varnishes. Further research is needed to provide information about the relative merits of the different types of sealant materials.

Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Vital Pulp Therapy for Children with Deep Caries in the Primary Dentition.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this protocol for a systematic review of randomized controlled trials of primary tooth vital pulp therapy is to describe the reasoning and need for the review, the objectives of the review, and the methodology that will be used to analyse data from the included studies. Publication of a systematic review protocol also helps establish and maintain transparency of the process and accountability for the stated methods and outcomes sought. METHODS: This protocol adheres to PRISMA-P standards for protocol reporting. A variety of relevant databases and resources will be searched. Trials selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment will be performed by two independent investigators. Primary outcome measures include clinical and radiographic success. Evidence tables will be generated for included study characteristics. The Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool will be applied to the selected studies. For meta-analysis, results will be pooled to provide estimates of appropriate effect size and heterogeneity of trials. The quality of evidence for outcomes will be determined using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. RESULTS: The proposed systematic review will provide findings useful for pediatric and general dentists, researchers, guideline developers, policymakers, and public and private insurers and can be the basis for an evidence-based guideline on pulp treatment of vital primary teeth with deep caries approximating the pulp.

Exploring user navigation during online health information seeking.

Understanding online user behavior is essential for designing user-friendly consumer health Web sites. Transaction log analysis (TLA) provides a way to extract aggregate data about online behavior. This paper describes prevalent user navigation trends using TLA methods at ClinicalTrials.gov. Preliminary results suggest that users typically access low-level pages directly from Web-based search engines and consumer health sites/portals. A pilot user study is presented to illustrate a complementary research method that might be integrated with TLA to provide a multidimensional view of online health information-seeking behavior. Implications of the observed navigation behavior on the design of consumer health Web sites from TLA and users studies are discussed.