SMILE feasibility study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Enabling Service Users with Severe Mental Illness to Learn about and Engage (SMILE) with Good Oral Health: Co-production, Feasibility and Acceptability of a Systems intervention
IRAS ID
361009
Contact name
Masuma Mishu
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 19 days
Research summary
Tooth decay and tooth loss can have a significant impact on general health and quality of life, and cause pain and difficulty when eating. This can reduce self-esteem and lead to problems in everyday life. People living with severe mental illness are much more likely to have tooth decay and to have lost their natural teeth.
This can be due to several challenges related to mental illness, their use of medication, and lack of support from health services. Oral health is often a low priority in caring for people with mental illness. We aim to create a support
system in mental healthcare settings that will support them to maintain regular oral hygiene and help them enjoy good oral health. We have already talked to people who experience mental ill health, their families and carers and mental health staff. We know their views on what makes good oral health easier and the problems they can often face. This gives us some initial ideas of what a good support system might look like.
Our project will build on these ideas over two phases. The first phase was co production of the intervention, which has already completed. This application is for the ethics approval of the second phase of the study, where we will conduct the feasibility and acceptability testing of the intervention.
We will conduct a single-arm feasibility study in two study sites. Thirty participants (15 from each study site) will be recruited. All the participants will get the intervention. Intervention sessions will be arranged by the supporting professional who will liaise with the person. Data will be collected for all the outcome measures. The researcher will arrange a follow-up session at three months and six months from baseline.
We will conduct at least two online Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) meetings with service users.REC name
West Midlands - South Birmingham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/WM/0235
Date of REC Opinion
7 Jan 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion