Interactive Parent-Targeted Text Messaging in Pediatric Clinics to Reduce Caries Among Urban Children (iSmile)

Boston University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Health Behavior; Caries, Dental

Treatments: Other: OHT Parent targeted text messages; Other: CWT Parent targeted text messages

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT03294590

H-36857

4UH3DE025492-03 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Enrollment: 754 patients

Sex: All

Ages: Under 7 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion Criteria: Caregiver and child must meet all of the following:

1. 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
2. The child must receive medical care at one of the participating pediatric clinics.
3. Speak, understand, and read either English or Spanish
4. 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

1. 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.
2. Children who cannot complete the baseline oral health exam.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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754 participants in 2 patient groups

Oral health text messages (OHT)

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this arm will receive the OHT parent targeted text messages to reduce caries and improve oral health behaviors among low income families visiting community-based, urban pediatric clinics.

Treatment:

Other: OHT Parent targeted text messages

Child wellness text messages (CWT)

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants in this arm will receive the CWT parent targeted text messages to improve child wellness (e.g., reading time, safety) among low income families visiting community-based, urban pediatric clinics.

Treatment:

Other: CWT Parent targeted text messages