N/A
N=754
Interactive Parent-Targeted Text Messaging in Pediatric Clinics to Reduce Caries Among Urban Children
Caries, Dental · Health Behavior
Bottom Line
View on ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03294590 ↗Enrolled (actual)
754
Serious AEs
0.1%
Results posted
May 2023
Primary outcome: Primary: Dental Caries Increment — 162; 161 Participants
Study Design & Population
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- N/A
- Interventions
- OHT Parent targeted text messages (Other); CWT Parent targeted text messages (Other)
- Age
- Pediatric · 0+ yrs
- Sex
- All
- Sponsor
- Boston University
- Primary completion
- Feb 2022
Outcome Measures
| Outcome | Result | p-value |
|---|---|---|
| PRIMARY Dental Caries Increment |
162; 161 | — |
| PRIMARY Parent/Caregiver Confidence to Brush |
2.9; 2.8 | — |
| PRIMARY Parent/Caregiver Motivation to Perform Oral Health Behaviors |
6.2; 6.0 | — |
| PRIMARY Parent/Caregiver Outcome Expectations for Oral Health Behaviors |
3.69; 3.68 | — |
| PRIMARY Self-efficacy to Perform Oral Health Behaviors |
6.3; 6.2 | — |
| PRIMARY Dental Caries Increment (Surface Level) |
545; 496 | — |
| SECONDARY Text Message Program Length Satisfaction |
193; 172; 68; 80; 29; 36 | — |
| SECONDARY Parents' Perceived Impact of iSmile |
6.4; 5.9; 6.1 | — |
| SECONDARY Child Preventive Dental Visits |
207; 181; 180; 157; 162; 131 | — |
| SECONDARY Fluoridated Toothpaste Use |
225; 207; 229; 215; 225; 210 | — |
| SECONDARY Perceived Impact of OHT Program on Parental Awareness |
7; 3; 14; 33; 207; 8 | — |
| SECONDARY Child Diet - Food Frequency |
2.22; 2.27; 2.23; 2.23; 2.18; 2.22 | — |
| SECONDARY Child Diet - Beverage Intake |
125; 142; 145; 131; 128; 141 | — |
| SECONDARY Child Tooth Brushing |
12.0; 11.1; 12.0; 11.6; 12.9; 11.3 | — |
| SECONDARY Parent/Caregiver Tooth Brushing |
12.7; 12.3; 12.7; 12.5; 13.1; 12.4 | — |
| SECONDARY Child Oral Health-related Quality of Life |
1.03; 0.99; 1.14; 0.96; 0.65; 0.80 | — |
| SECONDARY Satisfaction With Text Message Program Features |
6.12; 6.04 | — |
| SECONDARY Child Toothbrushing (Clinical Guidelines) |
177; 147; 167; 160; 214; 156 | — |
| SECONDARY Parents/Caregivers Toothbrushing (Clinical Guidelines) |
188; 175; 195; 183; 208; 191 | — |
| SECONDARY Diffusion of Text Messages (Satisfaction) |
168; 177 | — |
| SECONDARY Text Message Program Star Rating |
1; 3; 12; 7; 43; 50 | — |
| SECONDARY Text Message Program Quality |
5.81; 5.56; 6.0; 6.0; 6.5; 6.6 | — |
Summary
This is a randomized clinical trial to test the efficacy of a parent-targeted text message-based intervention program on caries incidence and oral health behaviors (child and parent). Parents (n= 850) across all pediatric clinic sites (Boston Medical Center and Community Health Centers (CHCs); DotHouse CHC, South End Community Health Center, and Codman Square CHC) will be randomized to receive either text messages (TMs) regarding oral health or TMs regarding child wellness. The study will enroll English and Spanish speaking parents and their youngest child who is < 7 years old, has at least one tooth showing, and attends the targeted pediatric clinic to receive primary care (n= 1700). Parents will complete self-report surveys at baseline, and 2, 4, 12, and 24-months after baseline; receive and respond to TM assessments during the 4-month intervention; and will also receive TMs during a 'booster' period of one month, which will occur 12-months post baseline. Parent's children will be assessed for caries by a clinical oral examination performed by licensed Clinical Examiners at baseline, 12-and-24-months post-baseline.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Caregiver and child must meet all of the following:
- Caregiver must be a parent or legal guardian of a child less than 7 years old, and the child must have their first tooth showing
- The child must receive medical care at one of the participating pediatric clinics.
- Speak, understand, and read either English or Spanish
- Have a mobile phone.
Exclusion Criteria: If the caregiver or child meets any of the following criteria, the dyad will be excluded from participation in this study
- Children with severe congenital tooth malformations: At screening the caregiver will be asked if their child has known systemic diseases associated with abnormal tooth development or abnormal oral health status such as cleft lip or palate, amelogenesis imperfecta, or dentinogenesis imperfecta.
- Children who cannot complete the baseline oral health exam.
Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03294590). Outcome figures and adverse-event rates are extracted automatically from the registry's posted results and are provided for clinician reference, not as a substitute for the primary publication.