Fluoride interventions to prevent dental decay in care home residents
Research type
Research Study
Full title
FInCH Study: A randomised feasibility study comparing fluoride interventions to prevent dental decay in older people in care homes.
IRAS ID
202190
Contact name
Rakhee Patel
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Kings College London
Eudract number
2017-002248-34
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 4 months, 1 days
Research summary
Tooth decay in older people in care homes poses a significant impact on the individuals’ general health and quality of life, and the cost of treating dental problems in this group impacts the National Health Service and society. There is good evidence on the effectiveness of preventive dental methods in the prevention and reduction of tooth decay, and fluoride interventions are administered routinely in primary care and as part of community based programmes under Department of Health guidance. However, this is not routine in care homes, despite residents in care suffering more frequently from dental problems and being at higher risk of dental decay than their free living peers.
Understanding which intervention would be best suited to a care home setting is vital, but undertaking research in care homes with vulnerable adults is complex and it is not clear whether dental research of this nature is feasible.
The purpose of this study is to consider the feasibility of fluoride interventions in care homes, which could then inform the evidence base for a public health programme.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/EE/0475
Date of REC Opinion
20 Feb 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion