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

Abstract

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.