Improving pain assessment methods for children in dental care

Implementation of Evidence-Based Pain Assessment in Pediatric Dentistry

NIH-funded research University of Washington · NIH-10684684

This study is all about making visits to the dentist easier and less scary for kids by finding better ways to measure and manage their pain, helping dentists use these tools more often, and training the team to improve children's dental experiences.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Washington NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Seattle, United States)
Project IDNIH-10684684 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on enhancing how pain is measured and managed in pediatric dentistry. It aims to identify the challenges dentists face in using standardized pain assessment tools and develop strategies to encourage their consistent use. By implementing evidence-based practices, the project seeks to improve the dental experience for children, reducing fear and future avoidance of dental care. The research also includes training for the principal investigator in various relevant fields to ensure effective implementation of these practices.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who require dental procedures and may experience pain during treatment.

Not a fit: Patients who are not undergoing dental procedures or are outside the age range of 0-11 years may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better pain management for children during dental procedures, improving their overall dental experiences and long-term oral health.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in implementing evidence-based practices in other areas of healthcare, suggesting a promising outlook for this approach in pediatric dentistry.

Where this research is happening

Seattle, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.