Child oral health from the professional perspective - a global ICF-CY survey.

Background: The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Children and Youth version (ICF-CY) (WHO) may serve as a tool for the application of holistic models of oral health.
Aim: The ICF-CY Global Oral Health Survey explored international professional opinion regarding factors relating to child oral health, including social environment, functioning, activity, and participation.
Methods: Networking resulted in 514 professionals from 81 countries registering for a two-round Delphi survey online. Participants were pooled into 18 groups according to six WHO world regions and three professional groups. In a randomized stratification process, eight from each pool (n = 144) completed the survey. The first round consisted of eight open-ended questions. Open-expression replies were analysed for meaningful concepts and linked using established rules to the ICF-CY. In the second round, items were rated for their relevance to oral health (86% response rate).
Results: A total of 86 ICF-CY items and 31 other factors were considered relevant to child oral health and function by at least 80% of professionals.
Conclusions: The ICF-CY can describe the holistic experience of oral health in children from the professional perspective. The data from this study will contribute to the development of an ICF-CY Core Set in Oral Health.
(© 2015 BSPD, IAPD and John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)