Comparative performance assessment of composite indicators for DMFT, DMFS, FS-T and T-Health indices among a 35-44 year old urban population: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Several limitations of decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) (DMF surfaces [DMFS]) have been addressed with the introduction of new composite indicators such as filled and sound teeth (FS-T) and T-health. These indices not only reflect the determinants of oral health but also reveal the utilization of health services and help in planning health programs. The objectives of this study were to assess the dentition status and extract DMFT, DMFS, FS-T, and T-health scores and to determine which of the four would represent the dentition status of a population. A cross-sectional study was planned to collect data through probability proportionate sampling. Participants: Two hundred and forty-one individuals aged between 35–44 years old residing in Bangalore city. Sociodemographic data were collected and oral examination of subjects was done to obtain the scores for DMFT, DMFS, FS-T, and T-health indices. Data obtained were analyzed using the SPSS version 19. DMFS index showed maximum variance of 8.5% followed by T-health index which was 7.7%. FS-T showed the variance of 7.2%. Among the individual components, missing teeth component and sound functional teeth showed the maximum variance of 7.6% and 7.1%, respectively. DMFS as an indicator of dentition status is more sensitive than the other three compared indices in identifying sociodemographic factors, utilization of health services by a population, and perceptions about oral health as determinants of oral health.