Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39904324›Full record

ArticleCaries research2025

Cost-Effectiveness of Silver Diamine Fluoride Depends on Caries Activity: A Decision Analytic Model.

Shijia Hu, Sharon Hui Xuan Tan, Yi Wang, Clement Wei Ming Lai, Xiaoli Gao, Hwee-Lin Wee, Bien Wen Pui Lai, Catherine Hsu Ling Hong, Shijia Hu

Abstract readComparative Study
In one paragraph

Article in Caries research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Knowledge, attitude and practice of paediatric dentists towards silver diammine fluoride in Egypt: a national survey.European archives of paediatric dentistry : official journal of the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry · 2026
    Article
  3. TheBiomaterial investigations in dentistry · 2026
    Article
  4. Article
  5. Article
  6. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Shijia Hu
Sharon Hui Xuan TanSaw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
Yi WangSaw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
Clement Wei Ming LaiFaculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
Xiaoli GaoSaw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
Hwee-Lin WeeSaw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
Bien Wen Pui LaiPaediatric Dentistry Unit, National Dental Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
Catherine Hsu Ling HongFaculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
Shijia HuFaculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionThe study sought to assess the cost-effectiveness of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) relative to sodium fluoride (NaF) varnish and direct restorations placed chairside or under general anaesthesia, accounting for caries activity.

methodsAn analytical decision-tree model was developed with clinical data from multiple centres to evaluate the four treatment options among all children aged 1-6 years in Singapore (N = 231,880) over a 12-month time horizon. Base-case scenarios consisted of children with low (1 carious tooth)- and high (7 carious teeth)-caries activity. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) and net monetary benefits (NMBs) were tabulated with the outcomes set to be the control of active caries and avoidance of tooth extractions. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted.

resultsOverall, SDF was less effective than direct restorations placed chairside but was less costly. For children with low-caries activity, the ICER for SDF was SGD 9 per caries-controlled tooth and SGD 68 per extraction avoided. For children with high-caries activity, the ICERs were SGD 267 and SGD 1,909, respectively. At a willingness-to-pay threshold of SGD 30, the NMB was negative (favours restorations) for caries control in children with low-caries activity and positive (favours SDF) for all other situations. In the low-caries activity group, SDF had a 41.5% probability of being cost-effective for caries control and 49.2% probability of being cost-effective for the avoidance of extraction. The corresponding probabilities for the high-caries activity group were 99.8% and 100%. The NMB of SDF increases proportionally with caries activity, suggesting utilization of SDF should depend on caries activity. Results were most sensitive to changes in relative cost and effectiveness of SDF/direct restorations.

conclusionSDF was cost-effective in most situations except for caries control in children with low-caries activity. Direct restorations were more effective and should be considered in low-caries activity children.

Indexed as

Cariostatic AgentsDecision Support TechniquesDental CariesFluorides, TopicalQuaternary Ammonium CompoundsChildChild, PreschoolCost-Benefit AnalysisDecision TreesDental Restoration, PermanentHumansInfantSilver CompoundsSingaporeSodium FluorideTooth ExtractionCariostatic AgentsFluorides, TopicalQuaternary Ammonium CompoundsSilver Compoundssilver diamine fluorideSodium FluorideCost-effectiveness analysisDecision treesFluoridePediatric dentistrySilver diamine fluoride

Identifiers

PMID39904324
PMCPMC12500279

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.