Cross-cultural translation and modification of the revised oral assessment guide for oral health assessment by non-dentists

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to conduct a cross-cultural translation of the revised oral assessment guide (ROAG) into Thai language and to modify the tool to increase its validity and reliability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present cross-sectional study was conducted in dental and hospitalized patients, and community-dwelling people. The original English-version ROAG was translated into Thai and evaluated for validity and reliability. The tool was then revised to develop the modified ROAG for non-dentists (ndROAG) comprising 9 oral assessment categories with a three-level response (healthy, mild, severe alteration). Criterion validity of the ndROAG was tested in 82 adult and older participants and 46 non-dentists (dental assistants, dental hygienists, community health volunteers, and nurses) using a calibrated dentist as the reference. The ndROAG was back-translated into English. Criterion validity was evaluated using weighted Kappa (κ) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Internal consistency was determined using Cronbach alpha. The three-level response was dichotomized (healthy vs changed) to determine sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS: The κw values, ICC, and Cronbach alpha of the ndROAG were higher than those of the pre-test ROAG. The ndROAG sensitivity for identifying healthy vs changed states ranged from 57.1 to 100.0%, lowest in the saliva category; specificity ranged from 90.9–100.0%. CONCLUSION: The original ROAG was translated and revised into the ndROAG with improved validity and reliability. The ndROAG can be used by non-dentists to assess oral health of adult and older individuals, detect oral changes, and includes self-care instructions and referral guidance.