Table 1 Checklist items in the “General” theme

Reporting Research

1

Indicate that the study adhered to reporting guidelines for main study types (or appropriate extensions where one exists). For example, Case Report – CARE, Observational study—STROBE, Clinical trial- CONSORT, Systematic review—PRISMA etc

2

Report the period during which the study was conducted, for both observational and experimental studies

3

Include “children's dentistry” or “pediatric dentistry” or “paediatric dentistry” as keywords

4

Report details of the Institutional Review Board including the approval number

5

Include information on child specific factors that may influence sample size calculation (drop out ratio, cluster effect etc.)

6

Include information on the statistical analysis used in the study, including the statistical package

7

Include information on how the examiners were calibrated prior to the assessment

8

Report the examiner reliability scores (intra-examiner and/or inter-examiner scores) and report discrepancy in the scores, if any

9

Report both statistically significant and non-significant outcomes in the results, tables and figures with proper effect measures and variation data (confidence interval etc.)

10

Report the impact of the intervention on oral health related quality of life, where relevant

11

For intervention studies with multiple interventions, include information on whether a process evaluation was undertaken (staff training, service provided etc.)

Patient Information

12

Include information on age, sex, Body Mass Index (BMI), and overall health status

13

Include information on informed consent/assent for children and adolescents based on national/regional/local regulations and on the relationship from whom the consent was obtained

14

Include information on the community of interest and social, psychological determinants of health (SES, ethnicity, Immigration status etc.)

15

Include information on the behavior of the child included in the study using a validated behavior rating scale, where relevant

16

Include information on extra-oral and intra-oral findings relevant to the focus of the study, where relevant

Intervention

17

Include information on all the materials, instruments, software, and equipment relevant to the focus of the study

18

If a new treatment is investigated, also include information on the recommended "gold standard" treatment

19

If multiple treatments are required, include information on the sequence of treatment

Moderators

20

Include information on any challenges (child’s/parent’s/operator’s level) encountered during dental treatment and care delivery pathway, where relevant

21

Include information on contraindication to any dental materials or dental treatment, where relevant

22

Include information on any unanticipated events or consequences of the treatment rendered

23

Include information on the anticipatory guidance provided to the child/carer, where relevant

24

Include information on the level of expertise of the treatment provider and its influence on overall outcome, where relevant

Outcomes

25

Include information on the child based and parent/carer-based outcomes, where relevant

26

Include information on the use of pediatric-specific standardized tools to assess the observations and outcomes (Caries, Gingiva, Plaque, Periodontal health etc.), where relevant

27

Report the outcomes specific to the age of the child (in chronological years, physiological or developmental milestones), where relevant

28

Include information on the follow up intervals for both clinical and radiographic outcomes at appropriate time intervals, where relevant