Digital adolescent dental health program to reduce tooth decay in at-risk youth
Official title: Development and Evaluation of School-based Digital Adolescent Oral Health Promotion Program for the Reduction of Oral Health Disparities
Funded at Oregon Research Institute · NIH-11520407 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A digital program designed for lower-income 7th and 8th graders to help them avoid tobacco use and sugary drinks to lower the risk of tooth decay.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Springfield, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $783,065 |
| NIH project number | 4UH3DE033198-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11520407 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are lower-income 7th and 8th grade students who smoke or vape and/or regularly consume sugar-sweetened beverages.
✕Less likely to help
Students not in the target age range or without exposure to the identified risk factors may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project develops a cross-platform digital program for adolescents to promote healthier oral health habits, focusing on avoiding tobacco products and reducing sugar-sweetened beverages. Grounded in behavior theory, it uses engaging videos and interactive games to motivate healthier choices. The program targets lower-income students in 7th and 8th grade and aims to be tested through a phased UG3/UH3 approach to inform future implementation in schools.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could reduce dental caries and improve long-term oral health for at-risk youth.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests school-based digital health programs can influence adolescent behaviors, with varying long-term success.
Where this research is happening
-
Oregon Research Institute
Springfield, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Westling, Erika — Oregon Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Westling, Erika
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Improving how schools deliver tooth care for kids using existing data
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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.