Dental health state utilities among dental patients

Objectives: To test the efficacy of a dental health state utility measure among a sample of dental patients using the standard gamble (SG) method and to examine its association with two quality of life constructs, namely the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 questionnaire and the global oral health item. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 202 adult dental patients. Demographic and clinical data were collected. The 14 item oral health impact profile (OHIP-14) and Locker's global rating scale for oral health were administered and a SG utility valuation was carried out. Results: The mean age of the patients was 38.6 ± 14.1 years. The mean SG score was 0.2 ± 0.2. Bivariate and negative binomial regression using the SG score as the outcome variable showed significant associations between SG scores and the OHIP-14 summary scores, global oral health rating values, as well as with age, gender, and nature/severity of the oral problem. Conclusion: The SG method was effective in assessing dental health state utilities in the patient population. Determining patients’ risk tolerance through the SG method may lead to greater awareness about factors that could influence their choice of treatment and could help in planning treatment regimens.