Oral health-related quality of life: a model for dental hygiene.
During the past decade, dental hygiene has been challenged to develop conceptual models to define the discipline. Such models can provide a common language and infrastructure for the discipline to define the process of care. Health-Related Quality of Life conceptual models have been adopted by many health professions to assist in planning health-related interventions and assessing outcomes to care. Based on the Natural History of Disease Schema, the Wilson & Cleary model, and Neuman's Systems Model, a new conceptual model for dental hygiene is proposed. The Oral Health-Related Quality of Life Model, composed of six primary domains: Health/Preclinical Disease, Biological/Clinical Disease, Symptom Status, Functional Status, Health Perceptions, and General Quality of Life. This model proposes a dynamic relationship among these domains and characteristics unique to individual clients or populations, and may have utility for interdisciplinary communication. As an integrated model, it may serve as a foundation for assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating outcomes to dental hygiene care. This paper reviews possible application of the model for clinical practice, research, and education.
University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry, Division of Dental Hygiene, USA.
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Williams
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Gadbury-Amyot
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Bray
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Manne
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Collins
D003756:Dental Hygienists; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009909:Oral Health; D011788:Quality of Life