An investigation of the type of dental problems treated by dentists and the impact that those dental problems have on patients.

The Burden of Oral Disease Study was collected from South Australia dentists and their patients using a two-stage sampling approach in 2001-02. Dentists provided data on the oral health status and diagnosis of dental problems of their patients, while patients provided data on the nature, duration and severity of symptoms using standard quality-of life instruments (the EuroQol and the Oral Health Impact Profile). Analyses have been conducted to produce revised disability weightings for input into burden of disease studies that use disability adjusted life year (DALY) measures for oral health conditions.

Principle Investigators: Brennan DS, Spencer AJ
Supported: Australian Dental Research Foundation (2001)