title: The Weighted Average Method 'WAM' for dental age estimation: a simpler method for children at the 10 year threshold: "it is vain to do with more when less will suffice" William of Ockham 1288-1358.".
abstract: The mathematical principle of weighting averages to determine the most appropriate numerical outcome is well established in economic and social studies. It has seen little application in forensic dentistry. This study re-evaluated the data from a previous study of age assessment at the 10 year threshold. A semiautomatic process of weighting averages by n-td, x-tds, sd-tds, se-tds, 1/sd-tds, 1/se-tds was prepared in an Excel worksheet and the different weighted mean values reported. In addition the Fixed Effects and Random Effects models for Meta-Analysis were used and applied to the same data sets. In conclusion it has been shown that the most accurate age estimation method is to use the Random Effects Model for the mathematical procedures.
authors: Department of Orthodontics, King's College London Dental Institute, Floor 22 Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, London SE1 9RT, UK. Electronic address: graham.j.roberts@kcl.ac.uk.
authors: Graham J
authors: GJ
authors: Roberts
authors: Department of Orthodontics, King's College London Dental Institute, Floor 22 Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, London SE1 9RT, UK.
authors: Fraser
authors: F
authors: McDonald
authors: Department of Orthodontics, King's College London Dental Institute, Floor 22 Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, London SE1 9RT, UK; Department of Maxillo-Facial and Dental Surgery, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3JH, UK.
authors: Monica
authors: M
authors: Neil
authors: Department of Orthodontics, King's College London Dental Institute, Floor 22 Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, London SE1 9RT, UK.
authors: Victoria S
authors: VS
authors: Lucas
mesh_terms: D000366:Age Determination by Teeth; D002648:Child; D005553:Forensic Dentistry; D006801:Humans; D015233:Models, Statistical; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D014070:Tooth / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000254:growth & development
keywords: Dental Age Assessment; Dental Age Estimation; Meta-analysis; Method comparison; Weighted average