Diagnostic Precision: Validating the Oral Disease Recognition Scale

Abstract

Objective: To develop and validate a scale to assess the ability of dentists to recognize the clinical presentation of oral disease encompassing a range of benign, potentially malignant, and malignant conditions. Methods: The research employed a cross-sectional online survey methodology. Following ethical approval, a scale was developed by the research team and consisted of seven patient cases encompassing a range of benign, premalignant, and malignant oral conditions. The scale was pretested, and the external validity of the scale was evaluated. Results: Responses were received from a total of 254 participant. Interrogation of case performance data overall and by respondent subgroups, as well as consideration of response profiles, item analysis characteristics, reliability, and exploratory factor analysis support the existence of a single underlying construct that is measured consistently by the seven cases across respondent groups. Conclusions: This study developed and validated a scale to evaluate the abilities of dentists and oral health care professionals to recognize oral benign, premalignant, and malignant disorders. The scale may serve as a useful tool to assess clinicians' ability to recognize oral cancer and identify potential cognitive biases in their diagnostic approach.