Terminology of e-Oral Health: Consensus Report of the IADR's e-Oral Health Network Terminology Task Force

Abstract

Abstract Objective: The International Association of Dental Research e-Oral Health Network (e-OHN) aimed to establish a consensus on terminology related to digital technologies used in oral healthcare. Method: The consensus process was comprised of four main stages.First, the task force created a list of terms and definitions around digital health technologies based on the literature and established a panel of experts. Second, email-based consultations and online meetings were organized with the panel of experts to confirm an initial set of terms. Third, this list of terms was presented at the IADR annual meeting to refine the list based on experts’ comments. Fourth, to reach consensus, the taskforce used group discussion and crowdsourcing, to solicit expert opinion about the terminology. A Delphi-questionnaire was sent online to all experts to ask their opinion about the terms and their definitions. Results: The study led to the identification of an initial set of 43 terms. The list of initial terms was refined to a core set of 37. Thirty-four experts took part in the consensus process about terms and definitions. From them, 27 experts completed the first rounds of consultations, and 14 the final round of consultations. All terms and definitions were confirmed via online voting (i.e., achieving above the agreed 70% threshold), which suggest their agreed recommendation for use in e-oral health research, dental public health, and clinical practice. Conclusion: This is the first study in oral health organised to achieve consensus in e-oral health terminology. This terminology is presented as a resource for interested parties to be used. These terms were also conceptualised to fit with a new healthcare ecosystem and the place of e-oral health within it.