Distributed toothpaste & toothbrushing programme for at risk children
Research type
Research Study
Full title
RCT of a targeted distributed toothpaste & toothbrushing programme to reduce paediatric general anaesthetic operations for dental procedures in young children from at risk families.
IRAS ID
191883
Contact name
Iain Pretty
Contact email
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN72962272
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Summary of Research
Tooth decay in children is a serious health problem; causing pain, poor sleep and missed time from school. At worst, tooth decay means that children have several or all of their time extracted, typically under general anaesthetic; where they are unconscious during the operation. Children and their families may have to wait for this operation and feel worried about it. This can be prevented with good oral health care. Beyond dental care, child welfare and oral health are both public health issues. The benefits of supplying free toothpaste, brushes and guidance information (by post) to all people in a family will be tested. This will be done by comparing families who received the materials (with 3 monthly supplies) with those who receive standard oral health advice. We will see if this has made a difference to reducing the need for further extractions under anaesthetic. Focused samples of families who received the brushing materials will be interviewed to help us understand their experiences, and factors which could help use of this scheme in the future. Those eligible are families identified as ’at risk’; this is where a child in the family has had extractions under anaesthetic. All children 3-10 years or under, in at risk families are eligible within the North West UK, specifically from hospitals at Bolton, Stockport, Salford, Manchester and Trafford. The study will last for 3 years. Study participation involves receiving either usual care or free toothpaste, brushes and tips for use. A small number who receive the packs will receive text message reminders & be interviewed by a researcher in their home. This will be done with one group near the beginning, and one group towards the end of the study. A group of professionals (service commissioners & local authority representatives), will be interviewed by telephone.Summary of Results
The study wanted to explore if giving toothbrushes and toothpaste, regularly, to families with children at high risk for developing tooth decay could reduce the number of referrals for tooth extractions under general anaesthetic. The study randomly assigned families to receiving either the toothbrush/toothpaste intervention or standard care (a control group). Families were invited to take part if they had a child aged 3–10, who had previously had tooth extractions under general anaesthetic, when attending hospitals in the North West of England. The study looked at whether any child within the family was then referred for a tooth extraction under general anaesthesia during the next 2 years, after consent. A total of 961 families took part, 482 families received the intervention and 479 families acted as the control. Analysis showed no difference between the groups in the number referred for a tooth extraction under general anaesthetic. In the group that received the intervention, 9% of children were referred, while in the group that received standard care, 7% of children were referred. While the study did not show the intervention reduced the number of children referred for a dental general anaesthetics, it did show focussing on families with children who had previously undergone tooth extraction in hospital, to attempt to reduce numbers referred in the future, is the correct approach. The study’s findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, local authorities, and commissioners. It can help them understand the occurrence of repeat DGAs within families and the ongoing need for interventions to address this issue.REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/NW/0057
Date of REC Opinion
8 Feb 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion