Reproducibility and validity of self-perceived oral health conditions.

Abstract

The reproducibility and validity of self-perceived periodontal, dental, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) conditions were investigated. A questionnaire was applied in interview to 200 adults aged from 35 to 44, who were attending as casual patients at Araraquara School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University, São Paulo, Brazil. Clinical examination was based on the guidelines of the World Health Organization manual. The interview and the clinical examination were performed in two occasions, by a calibrated examiner. Reproducibility and validity were, respectively, verified by kappa statistics (kappa) and sensitivity (Sen) and specificity (Spec) values, having clinical examination as the validation criterion. The results showed an almost perfect agreement for self-perceived TMJ (kappa = 0.85) and periodontal conditions (kappa = 0.81), and it was substantial for dental condition (kappa = 0.69). Reproducibility according to clinical examination showed good results (kappa = 0.73 for CPI index, kappa = 0.96 for dental caries, and kappa = 0.74 for TMJ conditions). Sensitivity and specificity values were higher for self-perceived dental (Sen = 0.84, Spec = 1.0) and TMJ conditions (Sen = 1.0, Spec = 0.8). With regard to periodontal condition, specificity was low (0.43), although sensitivity was very high (1.0). Self-perceived oral health was reliable for the examined conditions. Validity was good to detect dental conditions and TMJ disorders, and it was more sensitive than specific to detect the presence of periodontal disease.

• Authors: Camila Pinelli, Leonor de Castro Monteiro Loffredo
• Journal: Clinical oral investigations (Clin Oral Investig) Vol. 11 Issue 4 Pg. 431-7 (Dec 2007) ISSN: 1432-6981 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 17610092 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Validation Study)

Topics

• Adult
• Attitude to Health
• Dental Caries (psychology)
• Facial Pain (psychology)
• Female
• Gingival Hemorrhage (psychology)
• Humans
• Interviews as Topic
• Male
• Oral Health
• Periodontal Diseases (psychology)
• Physical Examination
• Self Concept
• Sensitivity and Specificity
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (psychology)
• Tooth Diseases (psychology)
• Tooth Mobility (psychology)
• Toothache (psychology)