Development of short forms for screening children's dental caries and urgent treatment needs using item response theory and machine learning methods.

OBJECTIVES: Surveys can assist in screening oral diseases in populations to enhance the early detection of disease and intervention strategies for children in need. This paper aims to develop short forms of child-report and proxy-report survey screening instruments for active dental caries and urgent treatment needs in school-age children. METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited 497 distinct dyads of children aged 8-17 and their parents between 2015 to 2019 from 14 dental clinics and private practices in Los Angeles County. We evaluated responses to 88 child-reported and 64 proxy-reported oral health questions to select and calibrate short forms using Item Response Theory. Seven classical Machine Learning algorithms were employed to predict children's active caries and urgent treatment needs using the short forms together with family demographic variables. The candidate algorithms include CatBoost, Logistic Regression, K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Naïve Bayes, Neural Network, Random Forest, and Support Vector Machine. Predictive performance was assessed using repeated 5-fold nested cross-validations. RESULTS: We developed and calibrated four ten-item short forms. Naïve Bayes outperformed other algorithms with the highest median of cross-validated area under the ROC curve. The means of best testing sensitivities and specificities using both child-reported and proxy-reported responses were 0.84 and 0.30 for active caries, and 0.81 and 0.31 for urgent treatment needs respectively. Models incorporating both response types showed a slightly higher predictive accuracy than those relying on either child-reported or proxy-reported responses. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of Item Response Theory and Machine Learning algorithms yielded potentially useful screening instruments for both active caries and urgent treatment needs of children. The survey screening approach is relatively cost-effective and convenient when dealing with oral health assessment in large populations. Future studies are needed to further leverage the customize and refine the instruments based on the estimated item characteristics for specific subgroups of the populations to enhance predictive accuracy.

Computerized adaptive testing and short form development for child and adolescent oral health patient-reported outcomes measurement.

OBJECTIVES: To develop computerized adaptive testing (CAT) and short forms of self-report oral health measures that are predictive of both the children's oral health status index (COHSI) and the children's oral health referral recommendation (COHRR) scales, for children and adolescents, ages 8-17. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using final item calibration parameters (discrimination and difficulty parameters) from the item response theory analysis, we performed post hoc CAT simulation. Items most frequently administered in the simulation were incorporated for possible inclusion in final oral health assessment toolkits, to select the best performing eight items for COHSI and COHRR. RESULTS: Two previously identified unidimensional sets of self-report items consisting of 19 items for the COHSI and 22 items for the COHRR were administered through CAT resulting in eight-item short forms for both the COHSI and COHRR. Correlations between the simulated CAT scores and the full item bank representing the latent trait are r = .94 for COHSI and r = .96 for COHRR, respectively, which demonstrated high reliability of the CAT and short form. CONCLUSIONS: Using established rigorous measurement development standards, the CAT and corresponding eight-item short form items for COHSI and COHRR were developed to assess the oral health status of children and adolescents, ages 8-17. These measures demonstrated good psychometric properties and can have clinical utility in oral health screening and evaluation and clinical referral recommendations.

Development of toolkits for detecting dental caries and caries experience among children using self-report and parent report.

OBJECTIVES: To develop child- and parent-reported toolkits for active caries and caries experience in children and adolescents, ages 8-17. METHODS: A sample of 398 child/parent dyads recruited from 12 dental practices in Los Angeles County completed a computer-assisted survey that assessed oral health perceptions. In addition, children received a dental examination that identified the presence or absence of active caries and caries experience. A Multiple Adaptive Regression Splines model was used to identify a subset of survey items associated with active caries and caries experience. The splines and coefficients were refined by generalized cross-validation. Sensitivity and specificity for both dependent variables were evaluated. RESULTS: Eleven child self-reported items were identified that had sensitivity of 0.82 and specificity of 0.45 relative to active caries. Twelve parent-reported items had a sensitivity of 0.86 and specificity of 0.50. Seven child self-reported items had a sensitivity of 0.86 and specificity of 0.34, and 11 parent-reported items had a sensitivity of 0.86 and specificity of 0.47 for caries experience. CONCLUSIONS: The survey items identified here are useful in distinguishing children with and without active caries and with and without caries experience. This research presents a path towards using children's and their parents' reports about oral health to screen for clinically determined caries and caries exposure. The items identified in this study can be useful when clinical information is unavailable.

Cohort study of HIV-positive and -negative methamphetamine users.

BACKGROUND: The effects of methamphetamine (MA) on caries have been well documented. Little, however, is known about its effects on the periodontium. The authors conducted this study to determine the prevalence and severity of periodontal disease in an urban population of HIV-positive MA users. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey was conducted in one of the most populous urban areas of Los Angeles County, California, beset with high rates of MA use. Participants were recruited by a combination of street outreach methods, referral from drug treatment centers, and word of mouth. Participants were eligible if they were older than 18 years, spoke English or Spanish, used MA in the past 30 days, were willing to undergo a dental examination and psychosocial assessments, and were willing to provide a urine sample. Periodontal assessments were completed for 541 participants by 3 trained and calibrated dentists. RESULTS: The prevalence and severity of periodontal disease were high in this population of HIV-positive and -negative MA users. Cigarette smoking and age were identified as risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: The HIV-positive and -negative cohorts were remarkably similar, suggesting that their lifestyles contributed more to their destructive periodontal disease than their MA use. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: MA users are at high risk of developing destructive periodontal disease and badly broken-down teeth. Clinicians should plan accordingly for timely management of the patients' care, knowing that MA users have extensive periodontal and restorative treatment needs.

Periodontal status of current methamphetamine users.

BACKGROUND: Methamphetamine (MA) use is associated with extensive dental caries. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and severity of periodontal disease in a convenience sample of MA users. METHODS: In this cross-sectional survey, MA users were recruited with a combination of snowball sampling and street outreach techniques. Three dentists, trained and calibrated to the oral assessments used in the National Health and Nutrition Survey, measured and recorded the participants' attachment loss, probing depth, and gingival recession. Concomitant interviews elicited psychological, substance use, medication, and dietary habits associated with MA use. RESULTS: Periodontal assessments were completed on 546 adults. More than 69% were cigarette smokers, and more than 55% were medium to high MA users. Classifying prevalence by means of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Periodontology definitions, cigarette smokers and medium to high MA users had a high prevalence of periodontal disease. The defining features of the participants were being 30 years and older (average, 42.2 years) and having severe and moderate periodontitis. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to the authors' knowledge to systematically examine periodontal disease in a large population of current MA users. MA users in a Los Angeles urban setting had a high prevalence and severity of destructive periodontal disease. The frequency of MA use had a minimal impact on the severity of periodontal disease. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: An MA user can be at high risk of developing periodontal disease. Knowing that behavioral factors, such as smoking and consuming sugary beverages, are more important than MA use will assist the clinician in managing the treatment of MA users.

Qualitative methods in the development of a parent survey of children's oral health status.

BACKGROUND: Parents' perceptions of their 8-17-year-old children's oral health status were assessed using a sample from diverse dental clinics in Greater Los Angeles County to identify constructs for a survey instrument. METHODS: Focus groups with 29 parents or guardians were conducted to identify themes that informed development of survey items. The draft items were administered to a different group of 32 parents or guardians in cognitive interviews, and revised for subsequent field-testing. RESULTS: Thematic and narrative analyses were performed after the focus groups and key lay-oriented dimensions were uncovered, notably the relationship between oral health, systemic health and the life course. In the cognitive interviews, parents entered multiple responses to questions related to the look of their child's teeth, and their overall perception of tooth color. Parents also assessed their child's fear or discomfort with the dental experience, and other social and psychological concerns related to oral health status. The temporal dimensions of certain items were specified; for example, oral pain and mood items were revised to include duration of the symptom or mood state. As parents tended to confuse oral health maintenance and prevention, these two related concepts were separated into two items. Based on the qualitative work, we revised items in preparation for a field test. CONCLUSIONS: As a PRO measurement study, qualitative research informed a field test survey to assess factors associated with oral health status and the individual's perceptions and subjective views of these constructs for eventual item development for epidemiological and clinical use.

Dental disease patterns in methamphetamine users: Findings in a large urban sample.

BACKGROUND: The authors used a large community sample of methamphetamine (MA) users to verify the patterns and severity of dental disease and establish a hierarchy of caries susceptibility by tooth type and tooth surface. METHODS: Using a stratified sampling approach, 571 MA users received comprehensive oral examinations and psychosocial assessments. Three calibrated dentists characterized dental and periodontal disease by using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey protocols. The authors also collected data on substance use history and other attributes linked to dental disease. RESULTS: On all dental outcome measures, MA users evidenced high dental and periodontal disease, with older (≥ 30 years) and moderate or heavy MA users disproportionately affected. Women had higher rates of tooth loss and caries, as well as a greater prevalence of anterior caries. Current cigarette smokers were more likely to manifest 5 or more anterior surfaces with untreated caries and 3 or more teeth with root caries. Nearly 3% were edentulous, and a significant percentage (40%) indicated embarrassment with their dental appearance. CONCLUSIONS: MA users have high rates of dental and periodontal disease and manifest a dose-response relationship, with greater levels of MA use associated with higher rates of dental disease. Women and current cigarette smokers are affected disproportionately. The intraoral patterns and hierarchy of caries susceptibility in MA users are distinctive. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The prevalence and patterns of dental and periodontal disease could be used to alert dentists to possible covert MA use and to plan treatment. Concerns about dental appearance have potential as triggers for behavioral interventions.

Child and adolescent perceptions of oral health over the life course.

PURPOSE: To elicit perceptions of oral health in children and adolescents as an initial step in the development of oral health item banks for the Patient-Reported Oral Health Outcomes Measurement Information System project. METHODS: We conducted focus groups with ethnically, socioeconomically, and geographically diverse youth (8-12, 13-17 years) to identify perceptions of oral health status. We performed content analysis, including a thematic and narrative analysis, to identify important themes. RESULTS: We identified three unique themes that the youth associated with their oral health status: (1) understanding the value of maintaining good oral health over the life course, with respect to longevity and quality of life in the adult years; (2) positive association between maintaining good oral health and interpersonal relationships at school, and dating, for older youth; and (3) knowledge of the benefits of orthodontic treatment to appearance and positive self-image, while holding a strong view as to the discomfort associated with braces. CONCLUSIONS: The results provide valuable information about core domains for the oral health item banks to be developed and generated content for new items to be developed and evaluated with cognitive interviews and in a field test.

Socio-behavioral predictors of self-reported oral health-related quality of life.

PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between social and financial support, behavioral and sociodemographic variables, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in a national probability sample. METHODS: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2004 data system was used; there were 12,761 persons selected for the sample, 10,122 of those were interviewed (79.3 %). Oral health-related quality of life, the outcome measure, was evaluated using seven items derived from the 14-item NHANES Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) included in the home interview. The aggregated OHRQoL scores ranged from 7 to 28. We included only adults, aged 20 and older, who self-reported their alcohol use during home interview (n = 5,014). Independent variables were social and financial support, and behavioral variables (smoking and alcohol use), with sociodemographic variables as covariates. Multiple linear regression analysis used weighted data representing 124 million persons. RESULTS: Lack of financial support reduced OHRQoL, but not social support. Smoking reduced OHRQoL, but not alcohol use. Compared to ages 20-24, persons aged 24-44 and aged 45-64 had significantly lower OHRQoL scores, but persons aged 65+ did not. Latinos' OHRQoL scores were lower than those of whites; there were no differences between whites and other ethnic groups. CONCLUSION: The model provides insights into the perception of OHRQoL in that oral health related to the ability to pay for care. Those in the middle years (24-64) rate their OHRQoL lower than do their younger cohorts; there is no difference in OHRQoL between the young and the old.

Predictive power of the severity measure of attachment loss for periodontal care need.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of periodontal diseases is high, and >15% of adults have severe gum disease. Clinical attachment loss (AL) is one of the most important measures for periodontal disease severity. With AL, one could measure the worst scenario, the average, or the cumulative sum of AL among all teeth. The objective of this study is to evaluate which of the 15 measures of periodontal problems (e.g., maximum, mean, and cumulative AL) best predict the need for periodontal treatment. METHODS: Using detailed periodontal data obtained through clinical examination from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999 to 2002, weighted logistic regression was used to model the periodontal treatment need of 15 different periodontal disease measures. The outcome measure is the clinically determined periodontal need. RESULTS: After adjustment for the covariates of age, sex, ethnicity, education, smoking status, and diabetes, the three most predictive measures were identified as: 1) the sum of the maximum mid-buccal (B) and mesio-buccal (MB) measures, which reflects the worst case of both B and MB measures; 2) the sum of the maximum MB measure or the worst case of the MB measure; and 3) the sum of all B and MB measures, or the cumulative AL measures. CONCLUSIONS: Cumulative periodontal morbidity, particularly the worst case of B and MB measures, has the strongest impact on the need for periodontal care. All the demographic variables and covariates follow the classic pattern of association with periodontal disease.

Oral health status and the epidemiologic paradox within Latino immigrant groups.

BACKGROUND: According to the United States census, there are 28 categories that define "Hispanic/Latinos." This paper compares differences in oral health status between Mexican immigrants and other Latino immigrant groups. METHODS: Derived from a community-based sample (N = 240) in Los Angeles, this cross-sectional study uses an interview covering demographic and behavioral measures, and an intraoral examination using NIDCR epidemiologic criteria. Descriptive, bivariate analysis, and multiple regression analysis were conducted to examine the determinants that are associated with the Oral Health Status Index (OHSI). RESULTS: Mexican immigrants had a significantly higher OHSI (p < .05) compared to other Latinos. The multilinear regression showed that both age and gender (p < .05), percentage of untreated decayed teeth (p < .001), number of replaced missing teeth (p < .001), and attachment loss (p < .001) were significant. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the other Latino immigrants in our sample, Mexican immigrants have significantly better oral health status. This confirms the epidemiologic paradox previously found in comparisons of Mexicans with whites and African Americans. In this case of oral health status the paradox also occurs between Mexicans and other Latinos. Therefore, when conducting oral health studies of Latinos, more consideration needs to be given to differences within Latino subgroups, such as their country of origin and their unique ethnic and cultural characteristics.

Using the Clinical Prevention and Population Health Curriculum Framework to encourage curricular change.

The Healthy People Curriculum Task Force was established in 2002 to encourage implementation of Healthy People 2010 Objective 1.7: "To increase the proportion of schools of medicine, schools of nursing and health professional training schools whose basic curriculum for healthcare providers includes the core competencies in health promotion and disease prevention." In 2004, the Task Force published a Clinical Prevention and Population Health Curriculum Framework ("Framework") to help each profession assess and develop more robust approaches to this content in their training. During the 6 years since the publication of the Framework, the Task Force members introduced and disseminated it to constituents, facilitated its implementation at member schools, integrated it into initiatives that would influence training across schools, and adapted and applied the Framework to meet the data needs of the Healthy People 2010 Objective 1.7. The Framework has been incorporated into initiatives that help promote curricular change, such as accreditation standards and national board examination content, and efforts to disseminate the experiences of peers, expert recommendations, and activities to monitor and update curricular content. The publication of the revised Framework and the release of Healthy People 2020 (and the associated Education for Health Framework) provide an opportunity to review the efforts of the health professions groups to advance the kind of curricular change recommended in Healthy People 2010 and Healthy People 2020 and to appreciate the many strategies required to influence health professions curricula.

The roles of healthcare professionals in implementing clinical prevention and population health.

Across the health disciplines, clinical prevention and population health activities increasingly are recognized as integral to the practice of their professions. Most of the major clinical health professions organizations have begun incorporating clinical prevention and population health activities and services into educational curricula, the accreditation process, and training to affect clinical practice. Students in each health profession need to understand the roles played by those in other health professions. This understanding is a prerequisite for better communication and collaboration among the professions and for accomplishing the educational objectives included in Healthy People 2020 and organized using the Education for Health framework. To help accomplish these goals, this article summarizes each health profession's contributions to the field of prevention and population health, explains how the profession contributes to interprofessional education or practice, reviews specific challenges faced in the provision of these types of services, and highlights future opportunities to expand the provision of these services. Several general themes emerge from a review of the different health professions' contributions to this area. First, having well-trained prevention and population health professionals outside of the traditional public health field is important because prevention and population health activities occur in almost all healthcare settings. Second, because health professionals work in interprofessional teams in the clinical setting, training and educating all health professionals within interprofessional models would be prudent. Third, in order to expand services, reimbursement for health promotion counseling, preventive medicine, and disease management assistance needs to be appropriate for each of the professions.

Calibration of self-reported oral health to clinically determined standards.

OBJECTIVE: Self-report of oral health is an inexpensive approach to assessing an individual's oral health status, but it is heavily influenced by personal views and usually differs from that of clinically determined oral health status. To assist researchers and clinicians in estimating oral health self-report, we summarize clinically determined oral health measures that can objectively measure oral health and evaluate the discrepancies between self-reported and clinically determined oral health status. We test hypotheses of trends across covariates, thereby creating optimal calibration models and tools that can adjust self-reported oral health to clinically determined standards. METHODS: Using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data, we examined the discrepancy between self-reported and clinically determined oral health. We evaluated the relationship between the degree of this discrepancy and possible factors contributing to this discrepancy, such as patient characteristics and general health condition. We used a regression approach to develop calibration models for self-reported oral health. RESULTS: The relationship between self-reported and clinically determined oral health is complex. Generally, there is a discrepancy between the two that can best be calibrated by a model that includes general health condition, number of times a person has received health care, gender, age, education, and income. CONCLUSION: The model we developed can be used to calibrate and adjust self-reported oral health status to that of clinically determined standards and for oral health screening of large populations in federal, state, and local programs, enabling great savings in resources used in dental care.

Clinical protocols for caries management by risk assessment.

This article seeks to provide a practical, everyday clinical guide for managing dental caries based upon risk group assessment. It is based upon the best evidence at this time and can be used in planning effective caries management for any patient. In addition to a comprehensive restorative treatment plan, each patient should have a comprehensive caries management treatment plan. Some sample treatment plans are included.

Products--old, new, and emerging.

The paradigm shift in understanding the etiology, prevention, and treatment of dental caries requires an understanding of the dental products that are currently available to assist the clinician in prudent recommendations for patient interventions. The purpose of this review is to present the evidence base for current products and those that have recently appeared on the market.

A comparative study of oral health status in a migrant/Japanese sample.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the oral health status of migrants to Japan with that of Japanese using the questionnaire and the Oral Health Status Index (OHSI). METHODS: The questionnaire for collecting demographic and behavioral variables and the OHSI were applied in a mixed migrant/Japanese sample of patients from a dental clinic in Yokohama. A sample of 224 subjects, 52% of whom were migrants, was selected from new patients. RESULTS: The mean OHSI scores were 78.56 for migrants and 83.16 for Japanese (p<0.01). Multiple regression analysis of OHSI showed that the statistically significant contributors were: age, status (migrants / Japanese), reason for initial visit, perceived oral health, and flossing behavior. CONCLUSION: The oral health status of migrants was worse than that of Japanese even though they were younger than Japanese. The present public support system for foreign patients and their self-care behavior were considered to be the factors for the inequity in oral health status.