WSLs: Impact on and Perception of young people & their guardians V1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
White Spot Lesions: Impact on and Perception of young people and their guardians: a mixed-methods study (WSLIP)
IRAS ID
333499
Contact name
Jayne Harrison
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Liverpool
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 4 months, 1 days
Research summary
White spot lesions (WSLs) are white marks that can form on teeth during brace treatment and can stay on teeth permanently after the braces are taken off. About half of people who have brace treatment get WSLs. They are usually caused by poor tooth-brushing around the brace. Having a lot of sugary food or drink gives the bacteria/bugs in plaque, which cause the WSLs, more food and makes the WSLs form more quickly and get bigger. In severe cases, the WSLs can become brown or grow into holes in the teeth. These holes may need filling and the brace may need to be taken off early.
The number of participants in stage 1 questionnaire = 200 (100 children and 100 parent/guardian), part 2 of the research= 30 (15 children and 15 parents/guardians.
Many studies have been done about how to prevent or treat WSLs. However, we do not know what young people and their parents/guardians know or feel about these WSLs. Half of young people with braces don’t change the way they brush their teeth even if advised to brush their teeth and around the brace better.
In this study, we want to find out what young people with braces and their parents/guardians, know and feel about WSLs. We also want to find out whether getting WSLs would put them off having brace treatment. We will ask young people considering or having brace treatment and their parents/guardians at Liverpool University Dental Hospital, to join our study.
The first part of the study will involve a questionnaire. People in the study will be asked a few questions and shown pictures of WSLs. There will be photos that show teeth before treatment and after treatment with WSL. After seeing these photos, people in the study will be asked about their reactions and feelings to the WSLs.
In the second part, we will talk to people in the study to learn more about how they feel about WSLs.
REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/EM/0182
Date of REC Opinion
8 Nov 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion