No abstract

There is a very low quality body of evidence from one RCT which is insufficient to draw any conclusions regarding the potential beneficial and harmful effects of altering the recall interval between dental check-ups. There is no evidence to support or refute the practice of encouraging patients to attend for dental check-ups at six-monthly intervals. It is important that high quality RCTs are conducted for the outcomes listed in this review in order to address the objectives of this review.

Analysis 4.4. Comparison 4: Risk-based versus 24 months: 4-year outcome data, Outcome 4: Probing pocket depth (mm)......... Analysis 4.5. Comparison 4: Risk-based versus 24 months: 4-year outcome data, Outcome 5: Patients OHIP-14 (0 to 56 scale where lower score is better

There is insufficient evidence to determine the effects of routine scale and polish treatments. High quality trials conducted in general dental practice settings with sufficiently long follow-up periods (five years or more) are required to address the objectives of this review.

Analysis 1.1. Comparison 1 Scale and polish versus no scale and polish, Outcome 1 Gingivitis at 24-36 months.. . Analysis 1.2. Comparison 1 Scale and polish versus no scale and polish, Outcome 2 Calculus at 24-36 months.. . Analysis 1.3. Comparison 1 Scale and polish versus no scale and polish, Outcome 3 Plaque at 24 months.. .. . Analysis 1.4. Comparison 1 Scale and polish versus no scale and polish, Outcome 4 Probing depths at 36 months.. Analysis 1.5. Comparison 1 Scale and polish versus no scale and polish, Outcome 5