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Randomised Controlled Trials of Caries Care Protocols: A Scoping Review
Vickie Cai1, Sarbin Ranjitkar2, Bradley Christian3
1Sydney Dental School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.
International Journal of Dental Hygiene
|July 21, 2026
Summary
Caries care protocols (CCPs) show moderate efficacy in reducing caries incidence and progression. Further research with standardized outcomes is needed to strengthen the evidence base for these patient-centered approaches.
Area of Science:
- Dental Public Health
- Preventive Dentistry
Background:
- Caries care protocols (CCPs) offer a patient-centered, hygiene-focused approach to caries prevention.
- Evidence on the combined efficacy of CCPs is limited despite individual strategy research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To map and evaluate current clinical evidence on the efficacy of Caries Care Protocols (CCPs) in children and adults.
- To assess the impact of CCPs on caries incidence, progression, regression, and risk.
Main Methods:
- A scoping review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing CCPs with standard care.
- Searched MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and Web of Science databases.
- Assessed study quality using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist.
Main Results:
- Three RCTs (n=1186) indicated positive outcomes for CCPs.
- Higher-quality studies demonstrated significantly lower caries increment and progression in intervention groups.
- CCP interventions led to a greater reduction in caries risk compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Limited evidence from two heterogeneous RCTs suggests moderate efficacy of CCPs.
- The current evidence base requires strengthening through more standardized outcomes and reporting.
- Further research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of CCPs.