Publication:

Program and policy evaluations of oral health initiatives: a scoping review protocol

Background Oral health has historically received limited policy attention, and India’s National Oral Health Programme (NOHP) has not undergone a formal evaluation. This scoping review aims to systematically map global evidence on program and policy evaluations of oral health initiatives to inform future evaluation strategies, adoption of best practice approaches, and policy development in India.

Methods This review will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) 2020 methodology and PRISMA-ScR (Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses extension for scoping reviews) guidelines. A comprehensive search will be conducted in Scopus, Embase (via Ovid), and PubMed, supplemented by hand-searching and citation tracking. Screening will follow a two-step process based on the Population-Concept-Context (PCC) framework. Two independent reviewers will conduct screening, with discrepancies resolved through discussion or consultation with a third reviewer. Data will be extracted into a structured Excel sheet, with quantitative data summarized descriptively and qualitative data synthesized narratively. The review will identify and map and summarise the existing evaluation frameworks, methodologies, outcome measures, strengths, and gaps in oral health program and policy evaluations globally. It will also highlight best practice strategies that could be adapted for India’s NOHP.

Conclusions Findings will guide policymakers and program planners in developing robust evaluation strategies, adopting global best practices, and integrating oral health into broader health systems, ultimately improving population-level oral health outcomes and reducing inequalities.