A school program to improve children's oral health and prevent cavities
CATCH Healthy Smiles: A cluster-RCT of an elementary school oral health intervention
This study is looking at a fun school program called CATCH Healthy Smiles that teaches kids in kindergarten through 2nd grade how to take better care of their teeth to help prevent cavities and keep their smiles healthy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10892219 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research evaluates a school-based program called CATCH Healthy Smiles, which aims to reduce dental caries among children in kindergarten through 2nd grade. The program integrates oral health education into existing health curricula, focusing on behavior modification to promote better dental hygiene practices. By implementing this intervention in elementary schools, the study seeks to assess its effectiveness in preventing cavities and improving overall oral health among young children. The research involves a cluster-randomized controlled trial to gather data on the program's impact.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 5 to 8 years old, particularly those in kindergarten through 2nd grade attending participating elementary schools.
Not a fit: Children outside the age range of 0-11 years or those not enrolled in the targeted elementary schools may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the incidence of dental caries in young children, leading to better oral health outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown success with similar school-based health interventions, indicating a promising approach to improving children's health outcomes.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sharma, Shreela V — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Sharma, Shreela V
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.