Population-Based Linkage of Big Data in Dental Research.

Joda T; Waltimo T; Pauli-Magnus C; Probst-Hensch N; Zitzmann NU

doi:10.3390/ijerph15112357

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Journal article

Population-Based Linkage of Big Data in Dental Research.

Joda T Department of Reconstructive Dentistry, University Center for Dental Medicine Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland. tim.joda@unibas.ch.
Waltimo T Department of Oral Health & Medicine Dentistry, University Center for Dental Medicine Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland. tuomas.waltimo@unibas.ch.
Pauli-Magnus C Department of Clinical Research & Clinical Trial Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland. christiane.pauli-magnus@usb.ch.
Probst-Hensch N Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, Swiss Tropical & Public Health Institute Basel, University of Basel, 4051 Basel, Switzerland. nicole.probst@unibas.ch.
Zitzmann NU Department of Reconstructive Dentistry, University Center for Dental Medicine Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland. n.zitzmann@unibas.ch.

2018-10-28

Published in:

International journal of environmental research and public health. - 2018

patient-generated health data (PGHD)

register-based controlled (clinical) trials [RC(C)T]

English Population-based linkage of patient-level information opens new strategies for dental research to identify unknown correlations of diseases, prognostic factors, novel treatment concepts and evaluate healthcare systems. As clinical trials have become more complex and inefficient, register-based controlled (clinical) trials (RC(C)T) are a promising approach in dental research. RC(C)Ts provide comprehensive information on hard-to-reach populations, allow observations with minimal loss to follow-up, but require large sample sizes with generating high level of external validity. Collecting data is only valuable if this is done systematically according to harmonized and inter-linkable standards involving a universally accepted general patient consent. Secure data anonymization is crucial, but potential re-identification of individuals poses several challenges. Population-based linkage of big data is a game changer for epidemiological surveys in Public Health and will play a predominant role in future dental research by influencing healthcare services, research, education, biotechnology, insurance, social policy and governmental affairs.

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