Table 2 Data extraction fields

Abstract

• Verbatim quotation of the conclusion statements from the abstract pertaining to the primary outcome

     ◦ If there is no conclusion section in the abstract, we will extract this from the results of the abstract.

• For studies using GRADE, are the GRADE certainty of the evidence ratings incorporated in the conclusion statements pertaining to the primary outcome in the abstract? (yes/no)

SR characteristics

• Title of the SR

• Last name of the first author

• Corresponding author’s name and email

• Journal of publication

• Year of publication

• Country of authors

Methods

• Specialty of dentistry (indicate all that apply according to the definitions of the American Dental Association) [13]

     ◦ If the SR investigates general dentistry interventions (e.g., tooth brushing), this is not applicable

• Primary outcome (for studies using GRADE)

• Did the SR authors search for grey literature? (yes/no)

• Was any aspect of screening conducted independently and in duplicate or by a single reviewer whose work was checked by another reviewer? (yes/no)

• Was data extraction conducted independently and in duplicate or by a single reviewer whose work was checked by another reviewer? (yes/no)

Results

• Number of RCTs included overall

• List of outcomes analyzed

• Did the SR authors conduct meta-analyses? (yes/no/for some outcomes only)

     ◦ Specify any outcomes not meta-analyzed and provide the number of participants analyzed for that outcome

          ▪ Was GRADE used for any of these outcomes?

• Does the SR use GRADE? (yes/no/for some outcomes only)

• Does the SR assess RoB and report the findings of the RoB assessment? (yes/no)

     ◦ To answer yes to this question, the SR authors must, at minimum, indicate the overall risk of bias rating for each of the included RCTs.

• If GRADE was used:

     ◦ Was GRADE used for all outcomes for which a meta-analysis was conducted? (yes/no)

     ◦ Are the GRADE assessments compiled in a summary of findings table? (yes/no)

     ◦ Do the SR authors refrain from making recommendations? (yes/no)

          ▪ If the SR authors make recommendations, copy and paste the verbatim quote of these recommendation statements.

     ◦ If GRADE was used for the primary outcome:

          ▪ Final certainty of the evidence for the primary outcome

          ▪ Were all five GRADE domains assessed for the primary outcome? (yes/no)

          ▪ List the ratings and explanations for the individual GRADE domains

          ▪ If the certainty of the evidence was downgraded:

               • Was an explanation provided for all domains that were downgraded? (yes/no)

               • Were the explanations informative? (yes/no)

               • For the GRADE domains which were downgraded, is there evidence that the SR authors assessed the domains using the incorrect criteria? (yes/no)

                    ◦ If yes, copy and paste the corresponding explanation or provide a rationale for your judgment.

          ▪ Did the SR authors refrain from using the criteria for rating up when assessing the primary outcome? (yes/no)

          ▪ If the primary outcome is dichotomous, do the SR authors transform relative estimates of effect to absolute estimates of effect in order to assess imprecision? (yes/no)

     ◦ List any other issues with the SRs GRADE assessments.

Conclusions

• Verbatim quotation of the SR conclusion statements pertaining to the primary outcome from the SRs conclusion section

     ◦ If there is no conclusion section, this is to be extracted from the discussion section. If there is no conclusion outlined in the discussion, we will make a note that no conclusion was reported in the body of the SR.

• For studies using GRADE, are the GRADE certainty of the evidence ratings incorporated in the conclusion statements pertaining to the primary outcome? (yes/no)