Lecture of community talk about dental indices

Lecture of community talk about dental indices

1. Dental Indices Dr. Raghad AL-Raad B.D.S., M.Sc.,(Preventive Dentistry) Collage of dentistry / Aliraqia University

2. I ndex An index has been defined by Russell AL as “a numerical value describing the relative status of a population on a graduated scale with definite upper and lower limits, which is designed to permit and facilitate comparison with other populations classified by the same criteria and methods”.

3. To show the prevalence and incidence of a particular condition To provide baseline data, To assess the needs of a population, To evaluate the effects and results of a community program. Researchers use indices to determine baseline data To measure the effectiveness of specific agents, interventions, and mechanical devices. In epidemiological oral health surveys, an index is used

4. Educate ,Motivate And evaluate the patient. By comparing scores from the initial exam during a follow-up exam, the patient can measure the effects of personal daily care. In private practice, index scores are used to

5. Dental Indices Epidemiological methods of study require the conditions be measured and quantified accurately based on sound scientific principles. One of the major problem in studying dental diseases and its factors is the development of a suitable, practicable method for recording the occurrence and severity of disease. Quantitative measurement of disease most commonly relies on index. The dental index is the main tool of epidemiological studies in dental diseases to measure incidence, prevalence and severity. Objectives 1- To increase understanding of the disease process, leading to methods of control and prevention. 2- To discover populations at high and low risk. 3- To define the specific problem under investigation.

6. Uses of dental indices 1- To study oral health status of individuals and population. 2- To study prevalence and incidence of disease. 3- To provide data for epidemiological studies. 4- To provide data for research to find out etiological and predisposing factors for the diseases. 5- For planning of oral health policy. 6- To evaluate the effectiveness of oral health programs. 7- To evaluate the success of various preventive programs .

7. Ideal Requisites Clarity, simplicity, objectivity: The index should be simple and easy to carry out. Validity: The index must measure what it is intended to measure, so it should correspond with clinical stages of the disease under study Reliability: The index should measure consistently at different times and under a variety of conditions

8. 4. Quantifiability: The index should be amenable to statistical analysis so that the status can be expressed by a number. 5. Sensitivity: The index should be able to detect small shifts in either direction. 6.Acceptability: The index should not be painful or demeaning to the subject

9. Simple index: It is the one which measures the presence or absence of a condition. For example, an index which measures the presence of plaque without evaluating its effects on the gingiva. Cumulative index: It is the one which measures all the evidence of a condition (past and present). An example is DMFT index for dental caries). Types of Indices

10. Irreversible index : An index which measures the conditions that will not change. For example, a dental caries index. Reversible index: One that measures conditions that can be changed or reversed. Full mouth indices : These indices measure the patient’s entire periodontium or dentition e.g. Russell’s periodontal index. Simplified indices: These indices measure only representative samples of dental apparatus e.g. Green and Vermillion’s simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-S)

11. 1. Disease index: e.g. ‘D’ (Decay) portion of the DMF index is the best example for disease index. 2. Symptom index: e.g. measuring gingival or sulcular bleeding are essentially examples for symptom indices. 3. Treatment index: e.g. the ‘F’ (Filled) portion of DMF index is best example for treatment index. Indices are also classified in general categories according to the entity which they measure

12. Recommended Methods Performance of an Index

13. 3- Interval or ratio A scale that uses number in measuring and has mathematical relation to each other. In ratio scale there is a true zero, GI 0=no inflammation. In interval scale there is no true zero