Understanding and addressing parents' hesitancy towards fluoride treatments for children
Developing Topical Fluoride Hesitancy Measures for Causal Modeling and Intervention Research
This study is looking into why some parents are unsure about using fluoride treatments for their kids' teeth and aims to find better ways for dentists to talk to them about it, so they feel more comfortable saying yes to these important treatments that help prevent cavities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10237416 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the reasons behind parents' hesitancy to accept topical fluoride treatments for their children, which are essential for preventing tooth decay. It aims to develop effective measures to assess and address these concerns, moving beyond traditional educational approaches that have proven ineffective. By focusing on behavioral risk-based strategies, the research seeks to empower dentists to better communicate with hesitant parents and encourage acceptance of fluoride treatments. The study will involve collecting data from parents and dentists to create validated measures that can be used in clinical practice.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include parents of children aged 0-11 who are hesitant or refuse fluoride treatments during dental visits.
Not a fit: Patients who are already accepting of fluoride treatments or those without children may not receive any benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved acceptance of fluoride treatments among parents, ultimately reducing tooth decay in children.
How similar studies have performed: While there is limited research specifically addressing fluoride hesitancy, similar behavioral interventions in healthcare have shown promise in improving patient acceptance of treatments.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- University of Washington — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chi, Donald Leslie — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Chi, Donald Leslie
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 below.