TY - JOUR T1 - A New Multidimensional Oral Health Indicator (MOHi): Construction, Distribution, and Predictive Validity in a Large Clinical Cohort A1 - Michael J. Harris A1 - Emily R. Stone A1 - Ahmed S. Farouk JF - Journal of Current Research in Oral Surgery JO - J Curr Res Oral Surg SN - 3062-3480 Y1 - 2021 VL - 1 IS - 1 DO - 10.51847/dY1tBnc2x6 SP - 68 EP - 75 N2 - To create a novel multidimensional oral health indicator (MOHi) capable of determining and describing overall oral health conditions. MOHi was formulated using data from first-time attendees (N = 1,034) at a university dental service over an 18-month window. Participants completed the Oral Health Value Scale (OHVS), the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14), and self-reported periodontal questionnaires. Caries experience was assessed via the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index, together with radiographic evaluation. The MOHi score was constructed as a linear combination of normalized OHVS, OHIP-14, and DMFT values, expressed on a continuous 0–3 scale, where higher numbers reflect poorer oral health. MOHi performance was examined across sociodemographic and behavioral variables, as well as periodontal self-report. Group differences in mean MOHi were tested using Student’s t-test and one-way ANOVA. Predictors were identified using stepwise multivariate logistic regression, and model accuracy was assessed through ROC/AUC analysis. MOHi demonstrated suitable normal distribution characteristics (range: 0.29–2.47), with a mean of 1.22 (±0.41). Elevated MOHi values occurred among individuals reporting periodontitis (p < 0.001), active or former smokers (p < 0.001), those with elementary or middle-school education (p < 0.001), employed or retired participants (p < 0.001), individuals aged ≥ 45 years (p < 0.001), and those who were married/divorced/widowed (p < 0.001). The final simplified logistic model identified the following predictors of poorer oral health: age (OR = 1.05), self-reported periodontitis (OR = 1.94), female sex (OR = 1.80), smoking status—active/former (OR = 3.12 / OR = 1.62), and lower education—elementary/middle (OR = 2.94 / OR = 2.27). The model achieved an AUC of 0.81. MOHi appears to be an effective and comprehensive tool for evaluating overall oral health. UR - https://tsdp.net/article/a-new-multidimensional-oral-health-indicator-mohi-construction-distribution-and-predictive-vali-qcbqisfvmzrdvpr ER -