How price cuts sent by WhatsApp affect booking of preventive dental check-ups
Official title: The Effects of Price Reductions on Uptake of Preventive Dental Care
Run by University of Chile · NCT07465952 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will test whether sending adult patients in a Santiago clinic network WhatsApp messages with different price discounts (and sometimes a coupon) makes them more likely to schedule a preventive dental check-up.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 70 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 172800 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Chile Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Santiago) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 2, 2026 |
| Main results expected | June 2026 |
| Study ends | June 2026 |
| Registry record updated | May 11, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07465952 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults (18+) in the partnering Santiago clinic network who have a valid WhatsApp number, have not received a preventive dental message in the past month, and meet the trial's Group 1 or Group 2 appointment timing criteria are the intended participants.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who already have a future dental appointment scheduled, have had dental care within the past six months, or cannot be reached by WhatsApp are unlikely to benefit from the messages.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Adult patients registered with a partnering clinic network in Santiago will be randomized to a holdout group (no WhatsApp message) or to one of three message groups that offer a preventive dental check-up at different prices and with or without a coupon. The three offers are CLP 4,990 (large discount), CLP 9,990 (intermediate discount), and CLP 9,990 plus a CLP 20,000 coupon for future treatments over CLP 150,000; the standard price is CLP 24,990. Messages are sent via WhatsApp and randomization is stratified by two patient groups based on timing and type of recent or upcoming appointments. The main outcome is whether patients schedule and attend a preventive dental check-up after receiving the message.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could increase timely preventive dental visits and lower out-of-pocket costs for some patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous behavioral-science trials using text-message reminders and price incentives have increased uptake of preventive health services, so this approach builds on existing evidence.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Two groups are considered for this experiment, each defined by the following criteria: Group 1: * Patients who have an appointment scheduled within the next 1 to 7 days * The appointment must be scheduled in the medical area only * The appointment must be at a center that also offers dental services * Patients who have not received a preventive dental message in the last month * Patients over 18 years old * Patients with a valid phone number to receive WhatsApp messages * Patients who have not attended a dental appointment in the last 6 months * Patients who do not have a future dental appointment scheduled Group 2: * Patients who do not meet the criteria for Group 1 and who have an appointment the following day or attended an appointment the previous day * The appointment may be in the Medical, Laboratory, Imaging, Telemedicine, Kinesiology, Vaccination, or Procedures areas * Patients who have not received a preventive dental message in the last month * Patients over 18 years old * Patients with a valid phone number to receive WhatsApp messages * Patients who have not attended a dental appointment in the last 6 months * Patients who do not have a future dental appointment scheduled 58.33% of the participants will be allocated to the large discount condition, 27.78% allocated to the intermediate discount condition, and 13.89% allocated to the intermediate discount + voucher condition.
Where it's running
-
Partnering clinic network
Santiago, Chile Recruiting
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.