Alexandria, VA, USA – A study aiming to test whether parent-targeted oral health text messages (OHT) outperform child-wellness text messages (CWT) on pediatric caries increment and oral health behaviors was presented at the 102nd General Session of the IADR, which was held in conjunction with the 53rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research and the 48th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association for Dental Research, on March 13-16, 2024, in New Orleans, LA, USA.
The abstract, “Randomized Controlled Trial: Text Messaging to Reduce Caries in Children” was presented during the “Oral Health Inequalities and Underserved Populations II” Poster Session that took place on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 3:45 p.m. Central Standard Time (UTC-6).
The study, by Michelle M. Henshaw of Boston University School of Dental Medicine, MA, USA, conducted a randomized controlled trial in four urban pediatric medical clinics from 2018-2022. Eligible parents were English- or Spanish-speaking with a child < 7 years old with > 1 tooth; 969 met inclusion criteria; 895 consented. Participants received automated, interactive, customized, and gamified text messages for 4-months, and 1-month booster at 12-months. OHT focused on child toothbrushing and scheduling preventive dental visits, plus parent choice topics (e.g., fluoride, sugar-sweetened beverages). CWT focused on reading and child safety, plus choice topics (e.g., development, sleep). Caries assessments occurred at baseline, 12-and 24-months; 24-month caries increment was primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were self-reported toothbrushing (child and parent), child’s diet, sugar-sweetened beverage/juice consumption, fluoride-toothpaste use, and preventive dental visits.
754 parent-child dyads were randomized (parents: 94.6% female, 12.5% white, M age =32.9 years; children: 50% female, 9.8% white, M age = 2.9 years). 6.2% opted out of texts and 2% withdrew from the study. There were no significant group differences in new caries in primary teeth (OR=0.99, 95% CI (0.63, 1.56) at 24 months. The odds of meeting toothbrushing guidelines (twice/day every day) were 77% greater for OHT vs. CWT at 24-months (OR=1.77, 95% CI= 1.13, 2.78). OHT was 51% more likely to have a preventive dental visit (OR=1.51, 95% CI=1.18, 1.94), and almost 50% more likely to use fluoride toothpaste (OR=1.46, 95%CI=1.06, 2.01) vs. CWT over 24 months. OHT also had a significant effect on parent brushing frequency (mean difference =0.48, 95% CI=0.03-0.92).
The study concluded that text messages are low-burden, easily integrated into people’s lives, can improve preventive dental caries behaviors in children and their caregivers, are easily disseminated, and have the potential to reduce oral health inequities.
About IADR
The International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to drive dental, oral, and craniofacial research for health and well-being worldwide. IADR represents the individual scientists, clinician-scientists, dental professionals, and students based in academic, government, non-profit, and private-sector institutions who share our mission. Learn more at www.iadr.org.
About AADOCR
The American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to drive dental, oral, and craniofacial research to advance health and well-being. AADOCR represents the individual scientists, clinician-scientists, dental professionals, and students based in academic, government, non-profit, and private-sector institutions who share our mission. AADOCR is the largest division of IADR. Learn more at www.aadocr.org.