Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with at least one year of follow-up were eligible for inclusion. All of the included studies were of split-mouth design. The duration of follow-up ranged from one to seven years.
Specific interventions included in the review
Studies that compared resin-based with glass ionomer sealant materials were eligible for inclusion. The included studies compared auto-cured resin composite with low-viscosity glass ionomer cement, light-cured resin composite with low-viscosity glass ionomer cement, auto-cured resin composite with medium-viscosity glass ionomer cement, and light-cured resin composite with low-viscosity resin-modified glass ionomer cement.
Participants included in the review
Inclusion criteria were not specified for the participants. No details of the participants were reported.
Outcomes assessed in the review
Studies that assessed caries prevention at the surface level were eligible for inclusion. Studies had to report sufficient statistical data to enable the calculation of a relative risk or attributable risk.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
Two reviewers independently selected the studies.