CHOICE V1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Changing habits to prevent child Caries (CHOICE): A Randomised Controlled Trial of a Family-Focused Therapeutic Conversation Delivered by Dental Nurses in Primary Care \n\n
IRAS ID
317403
Contact name
Pauline Adair
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The Queen's University of Belfast
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN87811904
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 5 months, 30 days
Research summary
Child tooth decay is a major problem in the UK and many children end up in hospital to have teeth removed due to severe decay. We know the advice and support for parents and carers of these children on how to improve dental health is lacking. Once a child has had tooth decay, children may develop further tooth decay in the future because family routines and lifestyles may not change as a result of the child having had treatment for tooth decay.\n\nThe CHOICE study aims to find out whether a structured conversation between the dental nurse and parents/primary caregivers can improve oral health and hygiene for their child. In order to make a fair and balanced comparison, half the families will have the intervention with the dental nurse in addition to usual care and the other half will receive only usual care from their dentist. With these equally divided groups it will be possible to evaluate if the intervention with the dental nurse works in preventing/reducing future tooth decay.\n\nFor those allocated to the intervention group, the study aims to provide parents/primary caregivers with supportive advice and plans, personal to their family, to help prevent or reduce future tooth decay. This may include the knowledge and skills to develop healthy tooth brushing habits and an understanding of how healthy eating can prevent child tooth decay.\n\nWe plan to ask 908 sets of parents or primary caregivers and children to take part in the study when they attend for a dental check-up with their dentist. Eligible children will have at least one decayed tooth and be aged between 3-7 years old. Study duration will last for 2 years.\n\n
REC name
West Midlands - Edgbaston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/WM/0056
Date of REC Opinion
2 May 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion