Structure equation modeling in oral health research: A review of applications and considerations

Abstract

This review provides an overview of structure equation modeling (SEM) and its applications in
dental research. SEM is a statistical technique that allows researchers to examine the relationships
between variables and is useful for analyzing data from a wide range of research designs, including
cross‑sectional, longitudinal, and experimental studies. The process involves specifying a theoretical
model, testing the model with data, and evaluating the model fit. It has been used in dental research
to investigate a wide range of topics, including dental diseases, oral health‑related quality of life, and
dental anxiety. SEM is particularly useful in modeling the relationships between various risk factors
and dental diseases and also has the potential to provide a deeper understanding of the multifactorial
nature of dental diseases such as periodontitis, dental caries, and oral cancer. Moreover, the insights
provided can aid in the development of effective strategies for the prevention and treatment of
dental diseases. It is a powerful statistical tool that can be used by dental researchers to gain a
better understanding of the intricate interplay of factors that underlie dental diseases and other
oral health‑related outcomes.
Key Words: Dental research, oral health research, structure equation modeling

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Abhishek Purohit: Pubmed,Google Scholar