Validation methodology in publications describing epidemiological registration methods of dental caries: a systematic...

The aim was to describe and systematically review the methodology and reporting of validation in publications describing epidemiological registration methods for dental caries. BASIC RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: Literature searches were conducted in six scientific databases. All publications fulfilling the predetermined inclusion criteria were assessed for methodology and reporting of validation using a checklist including items described previously as well as new items. The frequency of endorsement of the assessed items was analysed. Moreover, the type and strength of evidence, was evaluated.

Reporting of predetermined items relating to methodology of validation and the frequency of endorsement of the assessed items were of primary interest.

Initially 588 publications were located. 74 eligible publications were obtained, 23 of which fulfilled the inclusion criteria and remained throughout the analyses. A majority of the studies reported the methodology of validation. The reported methodology of validation was generally inadequate, according to the recommendations of evidence-based medicine. The frequencies of reporting the assessed items (frequencies of endorsement) ranged from four to 84 per cent. A majority of the publications contributed to a low strength of evidence.

There seems to be a need to improve the methodology and the reporting of validation in publications describing professionally registered caries epidemiology. Four of the items assessed in this study are potentially discriminative for quality assessments of reported validation.