Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41311984›Full record

ReviewJournal of oral biology and craniofacial research

Qualitative research in oral health in India: A bibliometric analysis.

Abhishek Mehta, Barsha Priya Deka, Manu Raj Mathur

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Journal of oral biology and craniofacial research. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Abhishek MehtaDepartment of Public Health Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, 110025, India.
Barsha Priya DekaDepartment of Public Health Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, 110025, India.
Manu Raj MathurHealth Policy, Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), Gurugram, Haryana, 122 002, India.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: A qualitative research approach is necessary to understand the complexities of social, behavioral, and systemic factors influencing oral health. Despite having a large dental education infrastructure and workforce, a limited number of studies have been published by Indian dental researchers utilizing a qualitative methodology. Objective: Map the existing literature to understand the current landscape of qualitative research in oral health in India. Method: A comprehensive search of prominent databases, along with handsearching, was conducted to shortlist studies based on a predefined criterion. Eligible studies underwent thematic categorization and bibliometric assessment. Keyword co-occurrence and network analysis were performed using VOSviewer software to identify conceptual linkages and emerging research themes. Results: Sixty-four studies met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 56 % were pure qualitative and 43 % were mixed-methods studies, with most published in the last five years. Key focus areas include tobacco cessation, pediatric oral health, and barriers to accessing dental services. Methodologically, the studies relied heavily on interviews and focus group discussions, with limited theoretical integration. Thematic clusters showed dominance of behavior-focused research and regional disparities in study distribution. Conclusion: This is the first review to comprehensively chart the evolution of qualitative research in oral health in India. While momentum is growing, significant gaps remain in methodological depth and thematic diversity. Strengthening training, institutional support, and theoretical engagement is essential for advancing qualitative dental research in India.

Indexed as

Bibliometric analysisDentistryIndiaMixed-method researchOral healthQualitative research

Identifiers

PMID41311984
PMCPMC12648962

What OpenQuestion holds

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.