Personalized app and smart brushing support to improve adult oral hygiene
Official title: Personalized Digital Behavior Change Interventions to Promote Oral Health
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11309684 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A personalized Android app paired with a smart brushing tracker to help adults stick to better tooth-brushing routines.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2019 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $774,704 |
| NIH project number | 5UH3DE028723-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11309684 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 21 and older who struggle with brushing habits or want to improve oral hygiene and who can use an Android phone are ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without an Android phone, those already consistently following effective brushing routines, or those needing urgent dental treatment are unlikely to benefit from this program.
What this research studies
You would use an eBrush sensor and an Android app that records when and how you brush at home. The team defined an easy 2x2x4 routine (brush twice a day, two minutes each time, covering all four mouth quadrants) and will build the app with input from users. In the first phase they will create and test the technology and check usability, and in the second phase they will develop models that judge brushing quality and deliver tailored messages. The system aims to give personalized reminders and feedback so brushing becomes easier to do correctly and regularly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help adults brush more thoroughly and regularly and reduce their risk of dental disease.
How similar studies have gone: Some reminder apps have modestly improved brushing adherence, but combining objective sensor tracking with personalized, model-driven feedback is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shetty, Vivek — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Shetty, Vivek
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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.