The success of oral health supervision can be measured by whether the parents and child have achieved certain outcomes. In quality assurance, clinical process (oral health care activity performed for, on behalf of, or by a patient) and outcome (health, well-being, and satisfaction state of a patient resulting from health care) measures are important.7 They enable oral health professionals and parents to identify and track progress made toward improved oral health. Under oral health supervision, oral health professionals should discuss with parents what steps will be taken to achieve expected outcomes. Current oral health status, risk assessment, and identification of achievable outcomes help oral health professionals determine the necessary periodicity for subsequent visits and help them provide anticipatory guidance. Examples of process and outcome measures include

Process Measures

• Parents are informed of oral development and teething issues.
• Parents understand and practice preventive oral health care, including toothbrushing and appropriate use of fluorides.
• The child is given increasing responsibility for self-care as development and motor skills allow.
• Parents understand and help their child practice appropriate eating behaviors.
• The child receives regular oral health care.

Outcome Measures

• The child has no active carious lesions.
• The child has healthy oral soft tissues.
• The child has functional occlusion.
• The child does not engage in self-injurious behavior.
• The family is satisfied with the child’s oral health care and their relationship with the oral health care team.