Fit for Purpose? The Suitability of Oral Health Outcome Measures to Inform Policy

Abstract

Measuring outcomes for oral health is frequently undertaken using the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index. DMFT measures dental caries experience. As a condition-specific outcome, it is not relatable to consumers, nor does it capture the impact of dental caries on quality of life or outcomes that matter most to consumers. Efficient resource allocation should include patient values. It is crucial to use measurement instruments that record consumer values or preferences for oral health and oral diseases. These measures are often called patient-reported outcome measures and/or patient-reported experience measures. Outcome measures relevant to patients are recommended to influence and inform policy decision-making for oral health. Knowledge Transfer Statement: Oral health research and program evaluation should consider alternative outcome measures for population oral health other than the DMFT index.