Benefits of Dental Scaling and Polishing in Adults: A Rapid Review and Evidence Synthesis.

Background: This rapid review assessed evidence to inform policy on the clinical effectiveness and optimal frequency of dental scaling and polishing (S&P) for adults, including those with low incomes eligible for the Canadian Dental Care Plan.

Methods: A rapid review was conducted according to Cochrane Recommendations for Rapid Reviews. Populations included all adults, adults with periodontitis, and those with inequitable access to dental care. Primary outcomes included gingival inflammation, probing depths, and tooth loss. Secondary outcomes included oral health-related quality of life and economic impact. Four databases were searched for randomized clinical trials, systematic reviews, cohort studies, and practice guidelines. Risk of bias was evaluated using Cochrane Risk of Bias, Newcastle-Ottawa, ROBIS, and AGREE II tools. A qualitative synthesis was planned.

Results: In total, 3,181 references were retrieved: 4 applied to "all adults" and 4 to those with periodontitis. All reports had low risk of bias. One systematic review and one multicenter trial of adults with regular dental care found no clinical benefit regardless of S&P interval; however, patients valued and were willing to pay for regular scaling. One claims-based study reported regular S&P reduced tooth loss, and 2 clinical practice guidelines found a reduced risk of future attachment and tooth loss, lower overall health care costs for diabetes, and reduced costs for and incidence of acute myocardial infarction in those with regular S&P. There were no studies of underserved populations.

Conclusions: For adults with no or early periodontal disease and regular access to dental care, routine S&P may have little clinical benefit but reduces tooth loss and some health care expenses. In patients with periodontitis, scaling intervals tailored to individual risk profile and periodontal status can maintain health. There is no evidence on the impact of routine S&P on patients with barriers accessing care.

Knowledge transfer statement: In terms of the benefits of routine scaling and polishing in adults, this rapid review found mixed evidence with a high level of certainty due to minimal risk of bias in the appraised studies for "regular dental attenders" and those with a diagnosis of periodontal diseases. Tailored intervals for dental scaling are beneficial for those diagnosed with periodontitis but may not provide the clinical benefits previously expected for adults at low risk. There is no evidence that dental polishing is effective. No evidence was found to support recommendations about the clinical effectiveness of scaling or the most appropriate recall intervals for scaling for low-income Canadians eligible for dental services under the new Canadian Dental Care Plan.