What makes a tool appropriate to assess patient-reported outcomes of periodontal disease?

Self-reported questionnaire on periodontal condition validated for use in Brazil

There is a current expectation of instruments for periodontal condition surveillance worldwide. The present study aimed to validate the Oral Health Questions Set B (OHQB) for the Brazilian Portuguese and evaluate its temporal stability. This is a sequential mixed-method investigation. After the forward-backward translation process to the Brazilian Portuguese, the OHQB Brazil (OHQB-Br) was applied to 156 participants (39.5 ± 14.14 years; 51.9% males). In sequence, through a full-mouth six-sites/teeth examination and in accordance with the original instrument, the periodontal diagnosis was obtained (March 2020). In January 2021, the OHB-BR was reapplied (n = 71). Ordinal alpha and McDonald's omega tested the internal consistency of the OHQB-Br. Temporal stability was investigated [Spearman correlation, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and the Bland-Altman]. The concurrent validity was also verified, considering the periodontal clinical diagnosis (Kruskal Wallis). The ordinal alpha (0.69) and McDonald's omega (0.73) coefficients showed an adequate internal consistency of the OHQB-Br. The OHQB-Br temporal stability was high, as demonstrated by the Spearman coefficient (0.80) and ICC (0.79) and by the Bland-Altman plot. A concurrent validity showed a direct relationship between the OHQB-Br and the clinical condition of no periodontitis, mild, moderate, and severe periodontitis (p < 0.05). Because the OHQB-Br shows internal validity, temporal stability, and adequately identifies periodontal health and moderate/severe periodontitis, the instrument might represent an important tool, at the public level or other settings, for periodontal surveillance in Brazil.

Cross-cultural adaptation of oral health-related quality of life measures used to assess the impacts of malocclusion and dentofacial deformities in Saudi Arabia: A literature review

Since the World Health Organization broadened its definition of health, beyond biological boundaries, to include physical, emotional, and social wellbeing. Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) became common outcome measure in clinical trials and epidemiological studies in Dentistry and Medicine. It is not surprising, therefore, to see quality of life as one of the programs of the Saudi 2030 vision. That said, it can be difficult to interpret the findings of OHRQoL research if the measures used were not appropriately adapted and validated in the population being studied. In this review article, the concept of cross-cultural adaptation of OHRQoL and its use in the Saudi context, as applied to orthodontic research, was discussed. An electronic search in PubMed and MEDLINE databases was conducted. A second search was conducted to locate methodological papers discussing cross-cultural adaptation and translations. Appraisal of relevant research was conducted to provide a better understanding of the process of adapting OHRQoL measures to assess the impact of malocclusion and dentofacial abnormalities on quality of life. This review pointed out important methodological concerns that warrant considerations during the translation and adaptation of OHRQoL measures.

A public health approach for prevention of periodontal disease

Upwards of 1 in 10 adults worldwide may be affected by severe periodontitis, making the disease more prevalent than cardiovascular disease. Despite its global scope, its impact on pain, oral function, and the wellbeing of individuals, and the disproportionate burden of disease and the socioeconomic impact on communities, the perception that periodontal disease is a public health problem remains low. Although there have been substantial improvements in our understanding of the etiology of periodontal disease and how we can prevent and control it, these advances have been primarily focused on individual, patient-focused approaches. The prevention of periodontal disease depends on improving currently available individual interventions and on determining what public health interventions can be effective and sustainable under real-life conditions. Currently, public health approaches for periodontal disease prevention and control are lacking. This review traces the historical strategies for prevention of periodontal disease in an epidemiologic transition context, using a modified model developed for cardiovascular disease, and presents a possible public health approach. Improving periodontal disease prevention and control will need to take into consideration the core activities of a public health approach: assessment, policy development, and assurance.