title: Developmental defects of enamel and dental caries in the primary dentition: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the association between developmental defects of enamel and dental caries in the primary dentition.
  
  
  METHODS
  Electronic searches were performed in PubMed, Web of Knowledge, Scopus and Scielo for the identification of relevant studies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational studies that examined the association between developmental defects of enamel and dental caries in the deciduous dentition were included. Additionally, meta-analysis, funnel plots and sensitivity analysis were employed to synthesize the available evidence. Multivariable meta-regression analysis was performed to explore heterogeneity among studies.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 318 articles were identified in the electronic searches. Of those, 16 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled estimates revealed that children with developmental defects of enamel had higher odds of having dental caries (OR 3.32; 95%CI 2.41-4.57), with high heterogeneity between studies (I280%). Methodological characteristic of the studies, such as where it was conducted, the examined teeth and the quality of the study explained about 30% of the variability. Concerning type of defect, children with hypoplasia and diffuse opacities had higher odds of having dental caries (OR 4.28; 95%CI 2.24-8.15; OR1.42; 95%CI 1.15-1.76, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrates a clear association between developmental defects of enamel and dental caries in the primary dentition.
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Program in Dentistry and Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil. Electronic address: francinesct@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Francine S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Program in Dentistry, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil. Electronic address: ethieli2@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ethieli R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Silveira
authors.affiliation: College in Dentistry, Faculdade Especializada na Área de Saúde do Rio Grande do Sul, Passo Fundo, Brazil. Electronic address: gabipinto@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Gabriela S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Pelotas and Section of Periodontology, Department of Dentistry and Oral Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark. Electronic address: gustavo.gnascimento@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Gustavo G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Nascimento
authors.affiliation: Sir John Walsh Research Institute, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. Electronic address: murray.thomson@otago.ac.nz.
authors.forename: William Murray
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Thomson
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Program in Dentistry and Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil. Electronic address: ffdemarco@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Flávio F
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Demarco
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D003729:Dental Care; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000002:abnormalities; D003744:Dental Enamel Hypoplasia; D010377:Pediatric Dentistry; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous
keywords: Deciduous teeth; Dental caries; Developmental defects of enamel; Pediatric dentistry; Primary dentition