Random and Systematic Bias in Population Oral Health Research: an introduction

Bias in population oral health research is a form of systematic error that can affect scientific investigations and distort inference (i.e under or over confidence in an estimate). A biased study loses validity in relation to the degree of the bias. While some study designs are more prone to bias, its presence is universal. It is difficult to completely eliminate bias; in the process of attempting to do so, new bias may be introduced or a study may be rendered less generalizable. The goals are to therefore minimize bias and for investigators and readers to comprehend its residual effects, limiting misinterpretation and misuse of data. In the four papers that follow, we seek to contribute to the discourse around random and systematic bias in population oral health research through the lens of case controlled studies, longitudinal studies and genomics re search. The papers formed the basis of a symposium entitled ‘Random and Systematic Bias in Population Oral Health Research’ at the 98th General Session of the International Association of Dental Research held March 2020 in Washington DC, United States.