Validation of the Visible Occlusal Plaque Index (VOPI) in estimating caries lesion activity.

OBJECTIVE: The present study appraises the construct validity of the Visible Occlusal Plaque Index (VOPI) along with its sub-types, convergent and discriminant validity. METHODS: 618 10-15year old Brazilian adolescents were included. The VOPI has a four-point ordinal scale ranging from no plaque to heavy plaque. VOPI scores and caries status on permanent molars were mapped and recorded at individual anatomical sites of the groove-fossa-system and at surface level. Outcomes were presence of sound site/surface and site/surface with active or inactive caries lesions (non-cavitated or cavitated). RESULTS: Construct validity was assumed based on qualitative assessment as no plaque (score 0) and thin plaque (score 1) reflected the theoretical knowledge that a regular disorganization of the dental biofilm either maintains the caries process at sub-clinical levels or inactivate it clinically. The VOPI also showed convergent validity since the likelihood that anatomical sites with no or thin plaque had inactive lesions simultaneously with sites with thick plaque (score 2) or heavy plaque (score 3) having active lesions were overall significant (RR=1.0-7.8). At surface level, discriminant validity of the VOPI was evidenced with multivariable analysis (GEE), by its ability to discriminate between the groups of adolescents with different oral hygiene status; negative association between adolescents with thick and heavy plaque and those with sound occlusal surfaces was found (OR=0.3, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The VOPI has construct as well as convergent and discriminant validity and is therefore recommended as an additional clinical tool to estimate caries lesions activity and support treatment decisions. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The Visible Occlusal Plaque Index is an additional clinical tool to the assessment of oral hygiene and caries lesion activity. The VOPI is recommended to standardize and categorize information on the occlusal biofilm, thus being suitable for direct application in research and clinical settings

Validation of the Visible Occlusal Plaque Index Estimating Caries Activity

The present study appraises the construct and concurrent validity of the Visible Occlusal Plaque Index (VOPI) as a measure of the association between dental biofilm and caries occurrence and activity in permanent molars. A total of 618 10–15 year old Brazilian adolescents were included in the study. Data on adolescents’ socio-demographic and oral health determinants were collected. The occurrence and distribution of occlusal plaque on first and second permanent molars were mapped and recorded at individual surface-anatomical sites of the groove-fossa-system. [...

Dental Caries, Fluorosis, Oral Health Determinants and Quality of Life in Adolescents

This study assessed the extent to which dental caries and fluorosis, in addition to socio-demographic and oral health behavior determinants, are associated with oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of adolescents. All adolescents attending from 6th to 8th grades in the Region of Itapoã, Federal District of Brazil (n = 1,122) were screened and 618 10–15 year olds were selected. Parents answered a questionnaire about family’s socio-economic status. Adolescents answered a questionnaire about demographic and oral health behavior determinants in addition to the Child Perception Questionnaire. [...

The impact of Dental Caries on the Quality of Life of disadvantaged adolescents

This study assessed the extent to which dental caries, adjusted for socio-demographic and oral health behavior determinants, impact on oral-health-related quality of life of disadvantaged adolescents. All students attending the 6th to 8th grades of the same public school in the region of Itapoã, Federal District of Brazil (n = 1,122) where water is fluoridated were screened. A total of 618 were selected and examined. The adolescents were 10–15 years old (54.2% female), had at least one permanent second molar without filling or sealant and were enrolled in a prospective controlled clinical trial on occlusal caries. Parents answered a questionnaire about family’s socio-economic status. [...

Changes in Adolescents' Oral Health Status: Responsiveness of the Child Perception Questionnaire 11-14.

Changes in oral health status following treatment should be assessed clinically as well as by patients' reported outcomes. This study investigated changes on oral-health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of adolescents enrolled in a comprehensive oral health care program for caries and gingival conditions. The sensitivity of the Child Perception Questionnaire11-14 (CPQ11-14) to detect clinical changes, that is, its responsiveness, was assessed. A total of 618 10-15-year adolescents answered the questionnaire before treatment and 560 at follow-up after 1 year. In the follow-up, 2 additional global transition judgment questions were asked. The adolescents were clinically and radiographically examined. At the baseline, 374 adolescents needed only nonoperative treatment, whereas 274 needed non- and operative treatments. After 1 year, the adolescents were regrouped according to the fulfillment of their treatment needs in Group 1 (n = 363) needing/receiving nonoperative treatment only; Group 2 (n = 98) needing/receiving both non- and operative treatments; Group 3 (n = 99) receiving nonoperative treatment only, while needing also operative treatment. The CPQ11-14 total mean change scores by the global transition judgment on self-perceived oral health status indicated significant differences (p < 0.001, ANOVA; internal responsiveness). The effect of the program for the treatment groups was significant (p = 0.014, ANCOVA; external responsiveness). The effect size for the change scores was of moderate magnitude. In conclusion, an overall improvement of adolescents' OHRQoL was observed following 1-year oral health care program for caries and gingival conditions. The CPQ11-14 was internally and externally sensitive to detect substantial clinical changes. The CPQ11-14 seems appropriate for measuring long-term changes on adolescents' OHRQoL

Responsiveness of the Child Perception Questionnnaire to Oral Health Care Treatment Program for Adolescents

Responsiveness refers to the sensitivity of an instrument to detect clinical changes. The aim of the present study was to assess the responsiveness of the Child Perception Questionnaire (CPQ11−14) to an oral health care treatment program for non-privileged 10–15 years old adolescents in the region of Itapoã, Federal district of Brazil. Adolescents who answered the CPQ11−14, were clinically and radiographically examined at baseline (n = 618) and after 1 year (n = 560). The program was based on intensive patient oral health care education and training in addition to professional toothcleaning (prophylaxis with or without scaling) according to individual requirements. [...

Changes in Adolescent’s Oral Health Status: Responsiveness of The Child Perception Questionnaire 11–14

Responsiveness refers to the sensitivity of an instrument to detect minimal but important clinical changes. This study assessed the responsiveness of the Child Perception Questionnaire (CPQ 11–14) to detect changes in oral-health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and oral health status of adolescents enrolled in a treatment program. The hypothesis tested was that improvement in OHRQoL would be observed after 1 year [...