Multidimensional indices of clinical oral conditions from a population perspective: a systematic review

To conduct a systematic review of the literature on indices that assess different clinical oral conditions simultaneously from a population perspective.

A search of the literature was carried out considering articles indexed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, SciELO, and LILACS, using search queries containing free and controlled vocabulary. The search included validity and reproducibility studies on the development of indices that assessed, simultaneously, at least two of the following oral morbidities: dental caries, periodontal status, and occlusal conditions, regardless of their indication for specific age or age groups.

Of the 2240 studies identified, 21 were considered eligible to be included in this study. Most studies (70% n = 14) were published between the 1960s and the 1990s. Eight indices were identified and half of these originated from the United States. For most indices, the minimum age indicated was 19 years and above. All the indices evaluated dental caries, and more than 2/3 evaluated periodontal status. None evaluated need for prosthesis and one included need for treatment. Interobserver and intra-observer reliability values were 0.7 or above. Most studies only presented content validity.

Although few normative oral health indices and validation studies were developed after the 1990s, the reliability values of all the reviewed studies were satisfactory; however, they did not present a refinement in terms of validity. This evidence suggests that further studies are needed to demonstrate the validity and/or reproducibility of multidimensional measures of clinical oral conditions.