Consensus-based development of a short screening tool predicting oral health deterioration in older people for use by general practitioners

Introduction: Oral health is critical for overall health and well-being, especially in older people. However, the frequency of dental visits tends to decrease as individuals age. In contrast, frail older people who are less likely to visit the dentist, increasingly rely on medical care, such as the general medical practitioner (GP). There is a lack of quick and efficient screening tools for GPs to assess the risk of oral health deterioration. This study aims to develop a short screening tool to provide GPs with a quick, easy-to-use tool to predict oral health deterioration in older people, enabling timely referral and intervention when needed.

Methods: The study consisted of three phases. In phase 1, the research team preliminary selected themes and items based on their predictive value, following a prior systematic review. In phase two the English self-reporting items were translated into Dutch, following cross-cultural adaptation guidelines. In phase 3 a panel of experts was selected and a Delphi method was conducted to develop the SHORT screening tool.

Results: The preliminary selection resulted in thirteen self-reporting items. Translation and back-translation proceeded without difficulties. The Delphi panel included 10 healthcare professionals and consisted of three rounds, after which consensus was achieved for the inclusion of three self-reporting items in the tool (100% agreement; median score = 5; IQR = 0).

Conclusion: The SHORT screening tool was developed, including a preliminary selection of items, translation, and the Delphi method, which was successful in achieving consensus. Further research is recommended to validate and test the psychometric properties of this newly developed screening tool.