Oral health indicators for children and adolescents: European perspectives.

AIM The purpose of the European Global Oral Health Indicators Development Project (EGOHIDP) was to support the exchange of expectations and experiences among experts in the field of oral health statistics and their audience, in particular policy makers, resulting in recommendations for a list of essential oral health indicators. EGOHIDP was supported by the Health and Consumer Protection Directorate-General of the European Commission to point out a short list of essential indicators for Oral Health. METHODS Systematic review of the existing indicators and consensus process between a group of experts in oral health related areas. RESULTS The short list of 40 oral health indicators was determined (rate of agreement >70%) among the European experts members of the project. Twelve items focus on Oral Health of children and adolescents: they are described in the present paper. CONCLUSION Further developing phases aimed to establish standardised methodological criteria for the collection of oral health data are also described.