Improving Oral Health for Older Adults in Primary Care
Multi-Level Interventions to Reduce Oral Health Disparities Among Adults in Primary Care Settings
This study is testing whether better training for doctors and changes to their systems can help older adults on Medicaid get more dental care and improve their oral health.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 929 (estimated) |
| Ages | 55 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Case Western Reserve University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Cleveland, Ohio) |
| Trial ID | NCT06555029 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This clinical trial aims to enhance dental care utilization among older adults enrolled in Medicaid by implementing multi-level interventions in primary care settings. The study will involve 12 practices, randomly assigned to either an intervention group that receives enhanced training and EHR modifications or a control group that follows standard care. The intervention includes training medical staff in oral health strategies and educating clinicians on the importance of dental visits, with the goal of improving patient outcomes through better oral health management. Participants will be followed over time to assess the effectiveness of these interventions.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are Medicaid-enrolled adults aged 55 years or older attending non-urgent primary care visits.
Not a fit: Patients with serious medical conditions that impair their ability to participate or understand the intervention may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could significantly increase dental care utilization among older adults, leading to improved oral health outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown success with similar multi-level interventions aimed at improving health outcomes in older populations, suggesting a promising approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Practices: * Use Epic EHR * Have older adults covered by Medicaid * Located within 60 miles of the CWRU research offices Provider (medical staff or clinician): Medical staff (MA, nurse): * Do not float between practices * Plan not to leave practice within a year * Provide a signed and dated consent form Clinicians (Physician, NP): * Have a minimum of 2 patient-care days per week * Do not float between practices * Plan not to leave practice within a year * Provide signed and dated consent form Older Adult/Patient Participant: * Enrolled in CareSource Medicaid Plan * Female or male aged 55 years or older * Attending non-urgent primary care visits (PCV) at enrolled site * Provide signed and dated informed consent form * Planning to stay in the immediate area for the next year * Enrolled in the Adult Wellness Registry Exclusion Criteria: * The presence of any serious medical health condition (such as dementia or other cognitive disorder not allowing them to participate) where the clinician indicates they should not participate. * The presence of any serious mental health disorders such as schizophrenia where the clinician indicates they should not participate.
Where this trial is running
Cleveland, Ohio
- Case Western Reserve University — Cleveland, Ohio, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Suchitra Nelson, PhD — Case Western Reserve University
- Study coordinator: Suchitra Nelson, PhD
- Email: sxn15@case.edu
- Phone: 216-368-3469
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.