Use of Patient Self-Report Oral Health Outcome Measures in Assessment of Dental Treatment Outcomes |
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Authors: | Wanda G Wright DDS MS MSD ; Judith A Jones DDS MPH DScD ; Avron Spiro III PhD ; Sharron E Rich MPH ; Nancy R Kressin PhD |
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Institution: | Department of Health Policy &Health Services Research, Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine; Department of General Dentistry, Boston University School of Dental Medicine; The Health Policy &Health Services Research, Boston University School of Dental Medicine;and the Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health; Center for Health Quality, Outcomes, &Economic Research, Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital;and the Department of General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine |
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Abstract: | Objective: To assess the sensitivity of a newly developed brief measure of oral health-related quality of life (OQOL). Methods: Self-assessed oral health and OQOL were measured in three groups of patients who had presented for either prophylaxis ( n = 32), endodontic care ( n = 15), or for a denture ( n = 16) in a dental school setting before and after treatment. Main outcome measures included the single-item self-report of oral health (OH-1) and the 6- and 12-item versions of a new OQOL instrument. General linear modeling was used to compute means of self-reported oral health by treatment group. Results: Of the 63 patients who completed the baseline questionnaire, 44 (70 percent) returned questionnaires after treatment. The sample averaged 43 ± 15 years, 48 percent male and 55 percent with some college education. Ethnic representation included 35 percent White, 33 percent Black, and 32 percent other – mostly Latino. The mean self-reported number of teeth was 20.6. In terms of sensitivity, significant differences were observed between the treatment groups on the items assessing being upset ( P < 0.05), feeling depressed ( P < 0.05), and uncomfortable about the appearance of teeth or dentures ( P < 0.05). However, magnitude of change, as measured by an effect size, was characterized as minimal to small in the recall and endodontic groups and borderline moderate in the denture group. Conclusion: The measure was sensitive to differences within groups, with a small to borderline magnitude of change. |
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Keywords: | oral health quality of life sensitivity dental treatment outcome measures |
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