The Dental, Oral, Medical Epidemiological (DOME) Study: Protocol and Study Methods

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Public Health
• Dental Medicine

Background:

• The Dental, Oral, Medical Epidemiological (DOME) study addresses the need for comprehensive data on oral and systemic health.
• Military populations present unique health profiles and research opportunities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the methodology for the DOME study, an electronic record-based epidemiological investigation.
• To establish a standardized protocol for collecting and analyzing dental, periodontal, and oral morbidities alongside systemic conditions.

Main Methods:

• The DOME study utilizes a cross-sectional design, analyzing data from a nationally representative sample of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) military personnel.
• Data integration from three IDF electronic records: central demographic database, dental patient record (DPR), and medical computerized patient record (CPR).
• Inclusion of a control group (N > 50,000) without dental visits during the study period, alongside a primary cohort (N = 132,354) with dental attendance in 2015. Longitudinal data collection spans 2010-2020.

Main Results:

• A comprehensive DOME repository was established, containing socio-demographic, dental, and medical records for 132,354 military personnel.
• Standardized definitions for socio-demographics, health habits, attendance patterns, and health status were developed.
• Multicollinearity analysis of sociodemographic and medical parameters was conducted.

Conclusions:

• Standardized work-up and definitions are crucial for the DOME data repository's utility.
• The DOME study provides a robust foundation for investigating the extent and associations of dental and systemic morbidities.