Development of consented recommendations for caries diagnostic studies in dental research

龋齿检测和诊断是牙科核心能力之一，需要在日常牙科实践中验证和可靠的诊断方法。对于大多数可用的方法，例如目视检查、射线照相检查、激光荧光测量、光纤透照或定量光诱导荧光分析，存在许多与不同研究问题相关的体外和体内研究。当详细分析这些研究时，很明显，许多研究的方法是异质的，因此可比性降低。为了消除这些问题，建议制定龋病诊断标准。这些建议应考虑适当研究设计的各个方面以及出版物中的报告。根据这一基本目标，计划对现有文献进行系统的检索、筛选和分析，同时由几位年轻科学家进行。搜寻工作进展顺利，很快就会完成。在下一步中，计划讨论、评估、同意并发表文献中的结果和专家组在纳入不同专家/龋学家的情况下提出的共识建议。该申请的主要目的是筹集差旅费和最终手稿开放获取出版的费用。计划在一年内举办三次讲习班。一方面，青年科学家将在讲习班期间介绍系统检索文献的现状，另一方面，专家将被要求为这一科学网络提供实质性投入。“网络”的另一个重要理由似乎是，通过由不同的人对工作过程进行重复审查，有可能达成广泛的共识。在第三次也是最后一次研讨会期间，将同意制定的关于进行和报告龋齿诊断研究的建议。此外，协商一致文件应由专家组拟订。除了提高未来龋齿诊断研究质量的潜力外，该项目还将使年轻科学家与经验丰富的牙科科学家接触。这似乎是一个极好的机会，可以创建一个未来可能持续存在的科学网络。

Caries detection and diagnostics is one of the dental core competences and requires validated and reliable diagnostic methods in the daily dental practice. For most of the available methods, e.g. visual, radiographic examination, laser fluorescence measurement, fiber-optic transillumination or quantitative light-induced fluorescence analysis, exist numerous in vitro and in vivo studies in relation to different research questions. When analyzing these studies in detail it became obvious that the methodology of many studies is heterogeneously and, therefore, the comparability reduced. Aiming at eliminating these problems, it seems to be recommended to establish standards for caries diagnostic standards. Such recommendations should consider aspects of an appropriate study design as well as reporting in publications. Following this basic aim, a systematic search, screening and analysis of the existing literature was planned and is conducted meanwhile by several young scientists. The search is far progressed and will be finalized soon. In a next step it is planned to discuss, evaluate, agree and publish the findings from the literature and consensus recommendations from the expert group under inclusion of different experts/ cariologists. The main purpose of this application is to raise a funding for the travel expenses and the costs for open access publication of the finalized manuscripts. It is planned to conduct three workshops within a period of one year. On the one side the young scientists will present the ongoing status of the systematic search of literature during the workshops, on the other side the experts will be asked to give substantial input into this scientific network. Another important justification to “network” seems to be the possibility to reach a broad consensus by the means to have a repetitive review of the working process by different persons. During the third and final workshop the developed recommendations for conducting and reporting caries diagnostic studies will be consented. Furthermore, the consensus paper should be formulated by the expert group. Beside the potential to improve the quality of future caries diagnostic studies the project will bring young scientists into contact with experienced dental scientists. This seems to be an outstanding opportunity to create a scientific network which may persist in the future.