Extended Dental Services to Promote Oral Health for Older People
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A PILOT PROJECT TO RESEARCH EXTENDING DENTAL SERVICES THROUGH THE USE OF A TEXT MESSAGING INTERVENTION TO IMPROVE THE ORAL HEALTH OF OLDER PATIENTS
IRAS ID
261790
Contact name
Kristina Wanyonyi
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Portsmouth
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 9 months, 0 days
Research summary
Research Summary:
The University of Portsmouth Dental Academy (UPDA) serves a broad range of patients for complex care, prevention, receipt of dental treatment and dental advice through a NHS contract. UPDA has previously shown that patient appointment attendance can be improved through text messaging reminders. Studies show older patients may experience a variety of barriers in accessing dental services and maintaining good oral health; including challenges complying with daily tooth-brushing behaviours (Borreani et al., 2008). The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of extended, regular oral health advice communicated via text messages for older patients attending UPDA.UPDA sees approximately 400 patients over 65 years old. They will be recruited into this extended intervention service by a research nurse to explain the study and undertake consenting protocols. Participants will receive dental health information via a sole leaflet or text messages over 10 weeks. All will receive a dental examination and undertake Quality of Life questionnaires at the start of the study.
The text message intervention (TMI) group (n=101) will receive 3 messages per week for 10 weeks and after 6 months from the initial text, 3 additional text messages will be provided. Also at this time, a two-way evaluation message regarding the intervention will be sent to evaluate how useful they found the service. The control group (n=101) will only receive a single leaflet at the start of the study.
After 12 months from the initial text, all participants will complete Quality of Life questionnaires again and their dental records will be examined to establish changes in dental health outcomes and dental attendance. Findings disseminated through peer-reviewed articles, reports and the UPDA website.
Summary of Results:
Project was funded by NHS England South East. The sponsor is the University of Portsmouth. Researchers from the University of Portsmouth Dental Academy (UPDA) carried out the research. The study took place at UPDA’s primary dental care outreach facility. The study sought to find the best way to share oral health advice with older patients in a manner that promoted compliance while they were at home. The main questions were i) are text messages or leaflets acceptable methods of conveying oral health advice to older patients. ii) if provided with texts and leaflet interventions is there an improvement in oral health related quality of life or clinical dental outcomes.REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/EM/0092
Date of REC Opinion
30 Mar 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion