Role of the Early Detection and Prevention of Dental Caries in Children: A Systematic Review of Clinical Outcomes.

Dental caries is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions affecting children worldwide, contributing significantly to pain, school absenteeism, and reduced quality of life. Despite its preventable nature, early childhood caries continues to pose a major public health challenge, particularly in underserved populations. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of early detection and preventive interventions in managing dental caries among children. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines across PubMed, BioMed Central (BMC) Oral Health, the Journal of Dental Research, and the International Dental Journal. The search covered randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between January 2023 and January 2024, limited to the English language and pediatric populations. Out of 785 initially identified records, eight RCTs met the eligibility criteria and were included in the final synthesis. The included studies assessed interventions such as fluoride varnish, resin-based and glass ionomer sealants, silver diamine fluoride (SDF), and school-based oral health programs. These strategies were found to significantly reduce caries incidence, arrest lesion progression, and improve oral health behaviors. Fissure sealants and fluoride varnishes demonstrated comparable efficacy, while frequent applications of SDF proved especially effective in arresting early caries. School-based interventions combining education with preventive care emerged as both cost-effective and impactful. Most included studies were of low to moderate risk of bias. This review reaffirms the importance of integrating timely preventive dental strategies into pediatric healthcare and public health systems to curb the burden of caries and promote sustainable oral health outcomes in children.