A RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method Study to Identify the Dimensions of Quality in Primary Dental Care and Quality Measurement Indicators

Objectives: Quality measures are increasingly used for quality measurement and improvement in primary dental care. Currently there is no consensus on a core set of quality measures that may be used in primary dental care or of the dimensions of quality important in dentistry. The objective of this study was to use a RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method to help establish such a consensus.

Methods: A RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method was used to rate dimensions of quality and quality indicators derived from the literature. Nineteen dimensions of quality and 260 quality indicators were rated by a panel of 9 dentists using an online questionnaire and face to face meeting.

Results: Seventy-nine quality statements were rated at clear necessary and feasible for use as a quality measure by the panel, from which 45 composite measures emerged. With regard to the dimensions of quality, the dimensions of the Institute of Medicine definition of Quality were rated highly, alongside further dimensions of Technical Quality, Appropriateness, Comprehensiveness and Coordination and Continuity of care.

Conclusions: This consensus study has identified a core set of quality indicators. This is a key first step toward the development of a comprehensive set of quality indicators.