Dental RECUR Trial
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Comparison of a new with standard child and family primary care service to reduce the re-occurrence of childhood dental caries (Dental RECUR Trial)
IRAS ID
109213
Contact name
Cynthia Pine
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust
Research summary
1 in 2 children in Salford and Manchester aged 5 years has tooth decay. Many of those children have had a tooth extracted. Removal of teeth under general anaesthesia is the single most common reason for planned admission to hospital for children under 11. Children who have already had teeth extracted are at higher risk of further decay and extractions of permanent teeth in the future. Lack of attendance for regular dental care, despite obvious need, is recognised as neglect under national UK guidelines, and, in some cases, indicates that a child is at general risk of neglect.
In our research, we have found that parents of children who have teeth extracted for tooth decay, by local/general anaesthic or sedation, are less likely to attend for regular dental care themselves and more likely to be afraid of dentists. They can experience uncertainty about whether to take their child for care and are less likely to feel they can undertake preventive dental care. A new service has been designed recognising that these families face tough challenges, and deprivation can result in poor child dental health. The new service will use a new approach using Motivational Interviewing techniques, to work with families. This type of service has been successfully researched in disadvantaged communities in the USA. We have talked to those US researchers to learn from their experience.
Parents/guardians of children, between 5 and 7 years, who are booked for an extraction for tooth decay, will be invited to take part. They will be randomly allocated to either, usual follow-up care or to the new dental nurse-led service. We will look at whether children develop new tooth decay 2 years later; also whether parents feel able to undertake positive dental health-related behaviours for their child.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/NW/0466
Date of REC Opinion
19 Jul 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion