Response representativeness is more important than response rate in survey research. However, response rate is important if it bears on representativeness. The present meta-analysis explores factors associated with higher response rates in electronic surveys reported in both published and unpublished research. The number of contacts, personalized contacts, and precontacts are the factors most associated with higher response rates in the Web studies that are analyzed.

A Meta-Analysis of Response Rates in Web- or Internet-Based Surveys

The Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement is a guideline designed to improve the transparency and quality of the reporting of randomised controlled trials (RCTs). In this article we present an extension to that statement for randomised pilot and feasibility trials conducted in advance of a future definitive RCT. The checklist applies to any randomised study in which a future definitive RCT, or part of it, is conducted on a smaller scale, regardless of its design (eg, cluster, factorial, crossover) or the terms used by authors to describe the study (eg, pilot, feasibility, trial, study). The extension does not directly apply to internal pilot studies built into the design of a main trial, non-randomised pilot and feasibility studies, or phase II studies, but these studies all have some similarities to randomised pilot and feasibility studies and so many of the principles might also apply. The development of the extension was motivated by the growing number of studies described as feasibility or pilot studies and by research that has identified weaknesses in their reporting and conduct. We followed recommended good practice to develop the extension, including carrying out a Delphi survey, holding a consensus meeting and research team meetings, and piloting the checklist. The aims and objectives of pilot and feasibility randomised studies differ from those of other randomised trials. Consequently, although much of the information to be reported in these trials is similar to those in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) assessing effectiveness and efficacy, there are some key differences in the type of information and in the appropriate interpretation of standard CONSORT reporting items. We have retained some of the original CONSORT statement items, but most have been adapted, some removed, and new items added. The new items cover how participants were identified and consent obtained; if applicable, the prespecified criteria used to judge whether or how to proceed with a future definitive RCT; if relevant, other important unintended consequences; implications for progression from pilot to future definitive RCT, including any proposed amendments; and ethical approval or approval by a research review committee confirmed with a reference number. This article includes the 26 item checklist, a separate checklist for the abstract, a template for a CONSORT flowchart for these studies, and an explanation of the changes made and supporting examples. We believe that routine use of this proposed extension to the CONSORT statement will result in improvements in the reporting of pilot trials. Editor’s note: In order to encourage its wide dissemination this article is freely accessible on the BMJ and Pilot and Feasibility Studies journal websites.

https://www.bmj.com/content/bmj/355/bmj.i5239.full.pdf

CONSORT 2010 statement: extension to randomised pilot and feasibility trials.

Oral diseases: a global public health challenge

Despite its relatively recent emergence over the past few decades, oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) has important implications for the clinical practice of dentistry and dental research. OHRQoL is a multidimensional construct that includes a subjective evaluation of the individual's oral health, functional well-being, emotional well-being, expectations and satisfaction with care, and sense of self. It has wide-reaching applications in survey and clinical research. OHRQoL is an integral part of general health and well-being. In fact, it is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an important segment of the Global Oral Health Program (2003). This paper identifies the what, why, and how of OHRQoL and presents an oral health theoretical model. The relevance of OHRQoL for dental practitioners and patients in community-based dental practices is presented. Implications for health policy and related oral health disparities are also discussed. A supplemental Appendix contains a Medline and ProQuest literature search regarding OHRQoL research from 1990-2010 by discipline and research design (e.g., descriptive, longitudinal, clinical trial, etc.). The search identified 300 articles with a notable surge in OHRQoL research in pediatrics and orthodontics in recent years.

/pdf/oral-health-related-quality-of-life-what-why-how-and-future-2llmq2vsfd.pdf

Oral Health-related Quality of Life: What, Why, How, and Future Implications

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Problem-Based Learning: An Approach to Medical Education

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Objective: The aim of this study was to identify associations between level of dental anxiety and the impact of oral health on quality of life (OHQOL) in Britain, controlling for sociodemographic and oral health status (self-reported) factors.



Methods:  The basic research design included a cross-sectional study involving a random probability sample of 3000 UK residents. The outcome measures were: levels of dental anxiety, which were measured on the Corah Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS), and the impact of OHQOL, which was assessed using UK oral health-related quality of life instrument (OHQoL-UK (W)©).



Results:  DAS was correlated with OHQoL-UK (W)© scores (P < 0.01). Having controlled for sociodemographic factors (age, gender and social class) and oral health status factors (self-reported number of teeth possessed and denture status), known confounding factors associated with OHQOL, those with high levels of dental anxiety (DAS ≥ 15) were approximately two times as likely to be among those experiencing the poorest OHQOL (below the population median OHQoL-UK (W)© score) in Britain (P < 0.001; OR = 1.93; 95% CI 1.41, 2.65).



Conclusion:  Dental anxiety is associated with the impact oral health has on life quality. Those experiencing high levels of dental anxiety are among those with the poorest oral health-related quality of life in Britain.

The association between dental anxiety and oral health-related quality of life in Britain

OBJECTIVE The aim was to test the reliability and validity of an instrument used to measure the impact of oral health on quality of life. BASIC RESEARCH DESIGN The instrument tested was the indicator OHQoL-UK(W), which was developed, based on a general UK population's perceptions of how oral health affects life quality. OHQoL-UK(W) consists of a battery of 16 questions, which takes into account both 'effect' and 'impact' of oral health on life quality, incorporating dimensions and an individualised weighting system. A questionnaire containing the indicator was administered to a sample of 500 adults. Determining associations between OHQoL-UK(W) scores, socio-demographic and self-reported oral health status assessed its construct validity. The criterion validity of the indicator was assessed in the absence of a 'gold standard' by correlating OHQoL-UK(W) scores to self-rating of oral health status. The internal reliability of the indicator was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. RESULTS The response rate was 78%. Associations between OHQoL-UK(W) scores and self-reported number of natural teeth (P<0.01) and denture status (P<0.01) supported the construct validity of the indicator. In addition, OHQoL-UK(W) scores were associated with socio-demographic factors; age (P<0.05), employment status (P<0.01) and ethnicity (P<0.05). The instrument was also associated with self-rating of oral health status (P<0.01), supporting the criterion validity of the indicator. The internal reliability was high with a Cronbach alpha value of 0.94. CONCLUSION OHQoL-UK (W) appears to be a valid and reliable measure for assessing the impact of oral health on life quality.

An evaluation of a new measure of oral health related quality of life--OHQoL-UK(W).

–Objectives: To investigate the relationships between socio-demographic factors, infant feeding habits, oral hygiene and the prevalence and patterns of caries in Brazilian 3–4-year-olds. Methods: Systematic random sampling was used to select children enrolled in municipal nurseries in Araraquara, Brazil, in 1998. Clinical examinations were carried out by one examiner using dmft and dmfs indices and WHO criteria. Questionnaires for information related to the socio-demographic background, oral hygiene and dietary history of the children were completed by their mothers. Results: Caries was seen in 46% of the children; 17% of them had the more extensive pattern involving molars and incisors. Social class, mother’s education, and age at which breast-feeding terminated showed statistically significant associations with caries. Feeding bottles with added sugars were still being given to 80% of the children. When the significant variables were taken into account only age at which breast-feeding terminated showed a significant relationship to the pattern of disease. Children who were never breast-fed or were breast-fed beyond the age of 24 months had a higher prevalence of the more extensive pattern of caries. Conclusions: The association between the length of time a mother breast-feeds and extensive caries should be a consideration in any local infant feeding policies or health promotion strategies. The duration for appropriate breast- or bottle-feeding should be emphasised.

Caries and its association with infant feeding and oral health-related behaviours in 3-4-year-old Brazilian children

OBJECTIVES\nThe aim of this study was to investigate the possible association between dental erosion and caries, and variables including socio-economic status, reported dietary practices and oral hygiene behaviour, in a sample of children in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study including dental examination and questionnaire survey was carried out at a number of kindergartens.\n\n\nSAMPLE AND METHODS\nA sample of 987 children (2-5-year-olds) was drawn from 17 kindergartens. Clinical examinations were carried out under standardized conditions by a trained and calibrated examiner (MAM). Information regarding diet and socio-economic factors was drawn from questionnaires distributed to the parents through the schools. These were completed before the dental examination.\n\n\nRESULTS\nOf the 987 children, 309 (31%) showed signs of erosion. Caries were diagnosed in 720 (73%) of the children and rampant caries in 336 (34%). Vitamin C supplements, frequent consumption of carbonated drinks and the drinking of fruit syrup from a feeding bottle at bed- or nap-time when the child was a baby, were all related to erosion. Consumption of carbonated drinks and fruit syrups was also related to caries but they were part of a larger number of significant factors including socio-demographic measures and oral hygiene practices.\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS\nThere was no clear relationship between erosion and social class, or between erosion and oral hygiene practices; the reverse was true for caries. Dietary factors relating to both erosion and caries and/or rampant caries were found in this sample of children.

The relationship between erosion, caries and rampant caries and dietary habits in preschool children in Saudi Arabia: Relationship between erosion, caries and diet in children

Raman Bedi

Papers

The association between dental anxiety and oral health-related quality of life in Britain

An evaluation of a new measure of oral health related quality of life--OHQoL-UK(W).

Caries and its association with infant feeding and oral health-related behaviours in 3-4-year-old Brazilian children

The relationship between erosion, caries and rampant caries and dietary habits in preschool children in Saudi Arabia: Relationship between erosion, caries and diet in children

Risk factors for oral epithelial dysplasia—the role of smoking and alcohol