Behavioral program to improve kids’ oral health around dental surgery
Official title: Testing a Multi-behavioral Intervention to Improve Oral Health Behaviors in the Pediatric Dental Surgery Population
Funded at University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-11392693 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A CHW-delivered parenting program helps families of children who need dental surgery to reduce sugary foods and improve brushing to prevent future tooth decay.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 20, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $796,187 |
| NIH project number | 5UH3DE032003-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11392693 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children aged 0-11 years with high risk of severe early childhood caries needing DGA and their families in the study area.
✕Less likely to help
Children not undergoing DGA or families without access to CHW-delivered support may see limited or no benefit.
What this research studies
This project targets children at high risk of severe decay who must have dental surgery under general anesthesia. It tests a parenting intervention delivered by community health workers to help families implement healthier brushing and eating habits, starting at the time of surgery and continuing with follow-up by phone. The goal is to reduce recurrence of decay after the DGA procedure by changing daily routines and behaviors in the home. The study will measure how often kids brush and the share of calories from added sugars as key outcomes. If successful, the approach could be scaled to support families facing barriers to preventive dental care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could reduce future dental surgeries by improving daily oral health habits in high-risk children.
How similar studies have gone: Past similar behavioral interventions have shown promise in improving child oral health habits, but effectiveness in the DGA context needs confirmation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Helen H — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Lee, Helen H
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Coordinated Oral Health Promotion for Chicago Kids
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-
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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.