Non-clinical outcome measures in dentistry: publishing trends 1988-98

Objectives: To provide an overview of the use of non-clinical outcome measures in dentistry and to identify trends and strengths and weaknesses in existing research. Methods: Literature searches using medical and social sciences databases and stated inclusion and exclusion criteria. Categorisation and coding of accepted studies according to: concept of outcome, study design and standardisation of outcome measures used. Simple graphical and statistical analysis used to identify trends in outcome measurement and strengths and weaknesses. Results: There has been a steady growth in non-clinical outcome measurement research in dentistry over the last 10 years. Most studies have addressed dental knowledge, attitudes or behaviours (KAB), socio-dental indicators or anxiety. Two-thirds of all studies have used non-standardised outcome measures. Different concepts of outcome are associated with different study designs and standardisation status of outcome measures used. Studies addressing dental "satisfaction" and KAB are more likely than average to use non-validated measures. Conclusions: There needs to be more focus on the development of methods to assess the validity of nonclinical outcome measures in dentistry. In addition more conceptual studies need to be undertaken on the theoretical links between the different concepts of outcome found in the current study.