Non-Invasive Methods for the Secondary and Tertiary Prevention of Early Childhood Caries: A Scoping Review

Background: Early childhood caries is defined as a carious disease affecting primary teeth in children under 6 years of age. It may lead to pain, infections, and difficulties with eating. Despite its burden, evidence on simple, non-invasive preventive approaches which can be implemented both in dental clinics and outreach services is fragmented. The aim of this review was to identify and map such methods for the secondary and tertiary prevention of ECC and to define priorities for future research. Material and Methods: The scoping review followed the PCC framework (Population-Concept-Context). Two databases were searched: PubMed and Scopus. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed and Scopus between 1 August and 30 September 2025. Eligible studies included children under 6 years of age with existing carious lesions, evaluated non-invasive methods for secondary and tertiary ECC prevention (such as sodium fluoride (NaF), silver diamine fluoride (SDF), nano-silver fluoride (NSF), and motivational techniques), requiring simple armamentarium, and reported data on the effectiveness in the context of ECC. Only publications from the past 5 years, available in English, and in open access, were considered. The results of the analysis were summarized narratively, outlining intervention types based on their characteristics, impact, and usage context. Results: Fifteen studies were included. Most were randomized controlled trials (eight studies), focusing primarily on silver diamine fluoride (SDF), often compared with other non-invasive methods, followed by systematic reviews (two studies), reviews (two studies), cross-sectional studies (two articles), and one qualitative study. Only one publication examined the use of motivational interviewing within the context of ECC. While the evidence on non-invasive approaches is growing, significant gaps remain. Small sample sizes, short follow-up periods, and heterogenous interventions and outcomes limit comparability. To strengthen the evidence base, future studies should recruit larger cohorts, adhere to standardized procedures, and use consistent reporting. Conclusions: The majority of studies focused on SDF, reflecting the increasing interest in its use. Research on motivational interviewing in ECC is particularly scarce. Further research under standardized conditions is needed to enable reliable comparisons across treatment protocols.