Training dental professionals to better manage behaviors of children with disabilities
Official title: SkillFlix for Dental Professionals: Video-based Microskills Training to Improve Dental Professionals' Response to Problem Behaviors of Pediatric Patients with IDD
Funded at Dfusion, INC. · NIH-11069890 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating short training videos to help dentists learn how to make dental visits easier and less stressful for kids with intellectual and developmental disabilities, so they can have a better experience at the dentist.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dfusion, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Scotts Valley, United States) |
| Project start | March 17, 2025 |
| Project end | March 16, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $306,618 |
| NIH project number | 1R43DE034648-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11069890 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years with intellectual and developmental disabilities who require dental care.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without intellectual or developmental disabilities may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing short training videos to help dental professionals effectively manage the behaviors of pediatric patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The videos will demonstrate specific behavior management strategies that can reduce anxiety and problem behaviors during dental visits. By enhancing the skills of dental providers, the project aims to improve the overall dental care experience for children with IDD, who often face unique challenges in dental settings. The training will address gaps in knowledge and promote better practices among dental professionals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved dental care experiences and outcomes for children with IDD.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that behavioral interventions can effectively reduce problem behaviors in children with IDD during dental visits, indicating a promising approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Dfusion, INC.
Scotts Valley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schieber, Elizabeth — Dfusion, INC.
- Study coordinator: Schieber, Elizabeth
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.