Guidelines on the timing and frequency of bitewing radiography: a systematic review

Objectives:
To identify guidelines on when and how frequently bitewing radiographs should be used in dentistry for the diagnosis of caries, and to provide an objective appraisal of their quality.

Data sources:
MEDLINE (OVID), US National Guideline Clearinghouse (www.guideline.gov) and the Royal College of Surgeons of England https://www.rcseng.ac.uk/fds/publications-clinical-guidelines/clinical_guidelines) websites were searched using a variety of relevant search terms (2nd August 2016)

Data selection:
Publications were included if they made recommendations on the issue of when and how frequently radiographs should be used in any dentally related specialty pertaining to the diagnosis of caries; and/or if they were aimed at the individual practitioner (any health professional working within dentistry) and/or patients.

Data analysis
13 published guidelines were included and assessed using the AGREE II instrument.

Conclusions:
There was a significant variation amongst the guidelines in the recommendations at what age radiography should be undertaken. There was also disagreement on the frequency of repeat radiographs and how this is influenced by the age of the patient and their caries risk.