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oai:figshare.com:article/32805053 2026-10-01T16:18:47Z portal_1172 item_type_8 month_year_10_2026

Developing a core outcome set for the assessment of quality of life in hypodontia studies James Nelson (3180039) PUREID: 659866012 hypodontia Hypodontia, the congenital absence of one or more permanent teeth (excluding third molars), is a relatively common dental anomaly that often requires complex, multidisciplinary management. Treatment typically involves orthodontic, prosthodontic and surgical care coordinated over many years, often continuing into early adulthood, followed by lifelong maintenance. The condition has lasting implications for oral function and appearance, making collaborative care and timely intervention essential to achieve optimal outcomes. The absence of permanent teeth can lead to functional, aesthetic and psychological challenges, which have been assessed using various Oral Health-related Quality of Life (OHRQOL) tools. However, the diversity of these measures has resulted in inconsistent outcome reporting, limiting meaningful comparison between studies and reducing the overall coherence of available evidence. This research therefore aimed to develop a Core Outcome Set (COS) for hypodontia studies assessing quality of life, following the COMET Initiative framework to promote standardisation and patient-centred research design. Systematic and scoping reviews identified substantial variation in OHRQoL tools and outcomes. These findings informed qualitative interviews with individuals with hypodontia and focus groups with professionals, which explored key issues in management, including treatment timing, psychological support and long-term follow-up. The resulting outcomes were refined into 29 statements and evaluated in a two-round Delphi survey. Using a 70% consensus threshold and patient-centred inclusion criteria, 20 statements were accepted. A subsequent consensus meeting resolved outstanding items, producing 23 final outcomes reflecting both professional and patient perspectives. The final COS comprises seven Core Outcomes: three contextual factors ('Absent permanent teeth and status of primary teeth', 'Hypodontia treatment provision and timescale', 'Hypodontia treatment lifespan and maintenance') and four constituent factors ('Appearance concerns', 'Psychosocial impacts', 'Orofacial physical discomfort', 'Functional (eating) impacts'). This COS establishes the first standardised framework for measuring quality of life in hypodontia research and will support more consistent, comparable and patient-focused future studies. 2026-10-01T16:18:47Z Text Thesis 10.17034/32805053.v1 https://figshare.com/articles/thesis/Developing_a_core_outcome_set_for_the_assessment_of_quality_of_life_in_hypodontia_studies/32805053 All Rights Reserved