Validity and cut-off scores of the OMES protocol for orofacial myofunctional disorders across different age groups

Objectives To strengthen the validity and psychometric evidence of the OMES protocol and to establish diagnostic cutoff values for OMD across different age groups. Methods A retrospective study including 302 individuals from our laboratory database was conducted, comprising 60 children, 158 youngs, and 84 adults, either with baseline conditions associated with a high probability of OMD or without such conditions, matched by age and sex. All participants were assessed using the OMES protocol. The known-groups methodology was applied to examine instrument performance to discriminate individuals with OMD based on predefined clinical conditions. Results Internal consistency was high, with standardized Cronbach’s alpha values of 0.91 for children, 0.87 for youngs, and 0.84 for adults. All OMES category scores and the total OMES score (TS _OMES ) discriminated between individuals with and without OMD. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy. In children, the area under the curve was 0.96, sensitivity was 95%, specificity was 85%, and the cutoff score was 89. In young individuals, the respective values were 0.94, 89%, 84%, and 90; in adults, 0.98, 93%, 86%, and 87. Conclusion The OMES protocol demonstrated strong psychometric performance and can be applied across different age groups, supporting the diagnosis of OMD, informed clinical decision-making, and evaluation of treatment outcomes. Clinical relevance Age-specific cutoff values and robust psychometric properties of the OMES protocol enhance diagnostic accuracy and support more precise clinical decision-making in orofacial myofunctional disorders across the lifespan.