Causal inference in dentistry: Time to move forward.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Dental Research

Background:

• Oral conditions pose a significant public health challenge.
• Current oral health studies often lack methodological rigor, limiting the interpretation and application of findings.
• Causal inference is crucial for developing and testing effective preventive oral health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To advocate for the increased use of causal inference in oral health research.
• To emphasize the importance of theoretically sound questions and explicit causal relationships in study design.
• To promote a shift towards more meaningful research and improved public health interventions.

Main Methods:

• Focus on asking theoretically sound causal questions.
• Explicitly define and measure causal relationships.
• Utilize high-quality observational studies to estimate average causal effects.
• Employ triangulation of results from diverse data sources and methods.

Main Results:

• Methodological deficiencies in current oral health studies hinder progress.
• Causal inference allows for quantification of intervention effects and informs policy.
• High-quality observational data can yield reliable causal effect estimates.

Conclusions:

• A systematic and structural change in the field is necessary for substantial progress.
• Scientific societies, funding bodies, dental schools, and journals should promote causal inference.
• Researchers must engage with communities, co-produce research, and translate findings for public health impact.