Developing an economic model for weak first adult molar teeth
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Development of an economic model to establish the viability of keeping weak first adult molar teeth in children.
IRAS ID
261472
Contact name
Marie Therese Hosey
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 6 days
Research summary
Tooth decay (caries) and 'soft teeth defects' (hypomineralisation) commonly occur in first adult molar teeth. Dental caries is a condition that affects over 46 per cent of 15 year olds and 34 per cent of 12 year olds in the United Kingdom (UK) (NHS England, 2013). Molar incisor hypomineralisation is a condition that affects one fifth of the population in the UK. These teeth are weak and can be sensitive, often requiring referral to a specialist paediatric dentist for fillings. Some also require a future hospital admission for tooth extraction under general anaesthesia. The purpose of this observational study is to develop a health economics measure that can be used for future studies of treatments for this patient group; e.g. new filling materials or clinical techniques. This project is therefore relevant to develop a measure that could be used in the future to inform patients and the dentists of the best treatment options for these teeth.
There are no suitable models in use within this area of dentistry at present. Health economics research suggests that the best approach is to ask patients to place a value against different treatments. We plan to develop the model by inviting parents/carers to complete a questionnaire. Using their responses, an economic model will be developed. This could then be used in future studies.
This study will be conducted in the Paediatric Dentistry Department at St Thomas' Hospital, London. Parents who attend the new patient assessment clinic will be asked to complete a researcher-led questionnaire. The sample size for the study will be 50. The planned treatment for the child will be unchanged. No personal data will be collected. All data will be stored securely.
The study will last for 1 year.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
19/NS/0164
Date of REC Opinion
1 Oct 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion