Oral Health Research Across the Lifespan: A Systematic Mapping Review of Cohort Studies in Australia and New Zealand
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Objectives
Oral health plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health and well-being, affecting over one-fifth of the population in Australia and New Zealand. Numerous cohort studies utilise The Life Course Health Development (LCHD) framework to explore oral health, highlighting the complex relationships among various influencing factors. However, a comprehensive synthesis of evidence on oral health-related cohort studies across the lifespan in Australia and New Zealand, which have unique demographic and environmental characteristics, is necessary to enhance the understanding of the diverse existing research in these regions. Therefore, this systematic mapping review aims to identify oral health-related cohort studies in Australia and New Zealand, providing details on their demographics, methods, oral health measurements, and a framework of the investigated outcomes and explanatory factors.
Methods
A systematic search was conducted across five electronic databases: MEDLINE (OVID), Embase (OVID), Web of Science (ISI), Scopus, and CINAHL followed by backward citation chasing. Oral health-related cohort studies conducted in Australia and New Zealand were included. A descriptive synthesis approach was employed to summarise the studies, and results were reported in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
Results
From the 226 included publications, a total of 37 cohort studies involving primary data collection and ten independent data linkage studies were identified. The geographical distribution, general characteristics, and design aspects of the identified studies were summarised. Seventy oral health measurements employed in these studies were identified and categorised. Additionally, an Evidence and Gap Map (EGM) was presented to illustrate links between 38 themes for explanatory factors and 32 themes for outcomes in the identified studies.
Conclusion
Numerous oral health-related cohort studies in Australia and New Zealand reveal significant variations. Over-represented study populations and measurements provide opportunities for secondary research, while under-represented areas should be the focus of future primary research. This review serves as a roadmap for researchers, policymakers, and clinicians in making evidence-based decisions to improve oral health.
