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Orthodontic outcomes assessment using the peer assessment rating index
R A Dyken1, P L Sadowsky, D Hurst
1Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA. drdyken@gulftel.com
The Angle Orthodontist
|June 16, 2001
Summary
Orthodontic treatment outcomes were assessed using the PAR Index. Board-certified orthodontists achieved a greater PAR Index score reduction than graduate students, indicating superior treatment effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Dentistry
- Orthodontics
- Clinical Research
Background:
- The Peer Assessment Rating (PAR) Index is a tool for evaluating orthodontic treatment outcomes.
- Assessing treatment quality is crucial for orthodontic education and practice standards.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effectiveness of orthodontic treatment assessed by the PAR Index between board-certified orthodontists and graduate students.
- To investigate the relationship between PAR Index scores, treatment duration, and orthodontist expertise.
Main Methods:
- The PAR Index was used to evaluate 54 board-accepted orthodontic cases and 51 graduate student-treated cases.
- Pretreatment, posttreatment, and percent changes in PAR scores were compared between the two groups.
- General linear models analyzed PAR Index scores and treatment duration.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in PAR Index components were found between board-accepted and graduate student cases at pretreatment or posttreatment.
- Board-accepted cases showed a significantly greater mean PAR score reduction (87.9%) compared to graduate student cases (81.7%).
- Higher pretreatment PAR scores and greater PAR score reductions correlated with longer treatment durations.
Conclusions:
- While individual PAR Index components showed no difference, board-certified orthodontists achieved a statistically significant greater overall improvement in orthodontic outcomes.
- Treatment duration is associated with pretreatment severity and the degree of PAR score improvement achieved.
