Mapping oral health resources for emergency department patients
Official title: MOLAR: Mapping Oral Health and Local Area Resources
Run by Massachusetts General Hospital · NCT05688982 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing different ways to help emergency department patients access oral health care by providing them with information and support to see which method works best.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 1 Year and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 2927 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Massachusetts General Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Boston, Massachusetts) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | August 25, 2023 |
| Main results expected | February 22, 2028 |
| Study ends | February 22, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | August 13, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT05688982 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates include adult and pediatric emergency department patients with unmet oral health needs who can communicate in English or Spanish.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who do not have unmet oral health needs or who reside outside the designated catchment area may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a screening and linkage intervention addressing adverse social determinants of health (aSDoH) on improving oral health care access for patients in the emergency department. Participants will be divided into three groups: one receiving general oral health information, another receiving localized resources, and a third receiving localized resources along with active navigational assistance. The study will assess how these different approaches impact patients' ability to connect with necessary oral health care services.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly improve access to oral health care for patients facing social barriers.
How similar studies have gone: While similar approaches have been explored, this specific intervention focusing on aSDoH in oral health care linkage is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * To be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria: * No evidence of lack of capacity to provide verbal informed consent (as documented in the chart). * Willing to comply with all study procedures and be available by phone for the duration of the study (as reported by the patient) * Unmet oral health needs as ascertained by the Hope Home (adult) or Gazzaz (pediatric) questions * Adult (age ≥18 years old) ED patient or pediatric ED patient (\>1 year of age) presenting with parent or legal guardian. Parent will be the primary study participant but if age \> 7 years, the child will provide assent for medical record review. * Ability to communicate in English or Spanish (as reported by the patient) * Emergency severity index (ESI) 2-5 (as documented in the electronic medical record) * Residence within catchment area of 3-hospital region (defined by MGB home hospital catchment area) at initial enrollment (as reported by the patient) * Working phone number Exclusion Criteria: * Patients on involuntary holds (per electronic medical record review) * Presenting from carceral facilities (per electronic medical record review) * Presenting for acute mental health care under evaluation for Section 12 (per electronic medical record review) * Patients presenting for assistance with intimate partner violence (IPV) or care following sexual assault
Where it's running
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Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Margaret Samuels-Kalow
- Email: msamuels-kalow@partners.org
- Phone: 617-726-8340
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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.