BRACE Study: E-cigarette Perspectives in UK Orthodontic Patients
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring Patient Perspectives on E-Cigarette Use and Its Implications for Orthodontic Treatment: A Mixed Methods Study in a Hospital Orthodontic Department in the UK
IRAS ID
350712
Contact name
Lucy Davenport-Jones
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 31 days
Research summary
This study aims to understand what orthodontic patients think about e-cigarettes (also known as vapes) and how e-cigarette use might affect their orthodontic treatment. We want to learn about patients' experiences, knowledge, and concerns regarding e-cigarette use while they are having braces or other orthodontic treatments.
The study will take place in the orthodontic department of St. George's Hospital in London. We will invite 126 patients aged 11 and above who are currently receiving orthodontic treatment to participate. Participants will be asked to complete a questionnaire during their regular orthodontic appointment, which will take about 10-15 minutes. The questionnaire will ask about their knowledge and experiences with e-cigarettes, their orthodontic treatment, and their thoughts on how e-cigarette use might affect their care.
After the questionnaire phase, we will invite 10-15 participants for follow-up interviews. These interviews will last about 30-45 minutes and can be done in person or over the phone. In the interviews, we'll ask more detailed questions about participants' experiences and opinions.
We will analyse the information from both the questionnaires and interviews to better understand the relationship between e-cigarette use and orthodontic treatment. This could help improve care for future patients by informing orthodontists about patients' perspectives and potentially developing better guidelines for orthodontic treatment.
Participation in this study is entirely voluntary, and all information collected will be kept confidential. The results of the study will be published in scientific journals and presented at dental conferences, but no participants will be identified in any reports or publications.REC name
North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/NW/0116
Date of REC Opinion
20 May 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion