Upstream interventions to promote oral health and reduce socioeconomic oral health inequalities: a scoping review protocol

Eleanor R Dawson; Michelle Stennett; Blánaid Daly; Lorna M D Macpherson; Paul Cannon; Richard G Watt

doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-059441

Upstream interventions to promote oral health and reduce socioeconomic oral health inequalities: a scoping review protocol

BMJ Open. 2022 Jun 23;12(6):e059441. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-059441.

Authors

Eleanor R Dawson¹, Michelle Stennett², Blánaid Daly³, Lorna M D Macpherson⁴, Paul Cannon⁵, Richard G Watt²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK e.dawson@ucl.ac.uk.
² Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK.
³ Division of Public and Child Dental Health, Dublin Dental University Hospital and Dental School, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
⁴ Department of Dental Public Health, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
⁵ University Library, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.

Abstract

Introduction: Improving oral health and reducing oral health inequalities is an important global health priority. 'Upstream interventions' are a vital part of the collective effort to reduce oral disease burdens, however it is a rather nebulous term. Furthermore, there is little evidence on the effectiveness, impact and sustainability of upstream interventions that have focused on oral health and wider public health measures that impact on oral health. The aim of this scoping review is to systematically map and synthesise evidence on the effectiveness, impact and sustainability of upstream interventions on population oral health and reducing socioeconomic oral health inequalities.

Methods and analysis: This scoping review will be conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews checklist. A detailed search strategy will be used to conduct a comprehensive search of electronic databases: Scopus, Embase and MEDLINE, PsycINFO and CINAHL, ASSIA and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. A search of grey literature will also be completed to identify relevant dissertations, governmental reports and evaluations of implemented policies. Identification and extraction of data will be performed by two pairs of reviewers. Oversight and feedback will be provided by an independent expert advisory group.

Ethics and dissemination: This study will review published and available grey literature and does not require an ethics review. The scoping review protocol has been registered with the Open Science Framework. The final report will be circulated and disseminated through publication and feed into the work of the ongoing Lancet Commission on Oral Health. Due to the policy relevance of this work, discussions will take place with key stakeholders regarding the implications of the findings for future policy development.

Keywords: health policy; protocols & guidelines; public health.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Global Health
Health Status Disparities*
Humans
Oral Health*
Policy
Research Design
Review Literature as Topic
Socioeconomic Factors
Systematic Reviews as Topic