Mobile app to help prevent tooth decay in young children
Official title: Innovative mHealth Intervention providing Sustained Anticipatory Guidance (Zero Cavity): Design, Validation, User Perception, and Effectiveness
Funded at Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research Trust · NIH-10930898 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a friendly mobile app called Zero Cavity that helps parents of kids aged 0-11 learn how to prevent tooth decay by giving them useful tips and advice about oral health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research Trust NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chennai, India) |
| Project start | September 15, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $137,444 |
| NIH project number | 5R21TW012359-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10930898 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are parents of children aged 0-11 years who are seeking guidance on preventing tooth decay.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have children or whose children are older than 11 years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing and testing a mobile application called Zero Cavity, which aims to provide parents with age-appropriate anticipatory guidance to prevent early childhood caries (tooth decay) in children aged 0-11 years. The app will utilize interactive features to educate parents about oral health practices and behaviors that can reduce the risk of dental issues. The project will involve gathering insights from parents, pediatricians, and dentists through interviews and focus groups to tailor the guidance provided by the app. By leveraging mobile technology, the research seeks to improve access to dental health information and support for families, particularly in low-middle-income countries.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the incidence of tooth decay in young children, leading to better oral health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in using mobile health interventions for dental care, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research Trust
Chennai, India Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Murugan, Muthu Satta — Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research Trust
- Study coordinator: Murugan, Muthu Satta
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Zero Cavity: A smartphone approach to keep young teeth cavity-free
A smartphone app delivers ongoing guidance to caregivers of young children to help prevent tooth decay.
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Zero Cavity: a smartphone app that helps parents prevent tooth decay in young children
A mobile app that sends age‑appropriate tips and reminders to parents to help prevent cavities in babies and young children.
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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.