Training dental teams to improve interactions with young children
Official title: Implementing Evidence-based Behavioral Skills in Pediatric Oral Healthcare Providers
Run by University of Florida · NCT06138405 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will test a day-long workshop that teaches dentists and dental staff behavior-management skills to help children ages 2–10 feel less scared and cooperate better during dental visits.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 99 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 5808 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Florida Academic / other |
| Locations | 4 sites (Fayetteville, Arkansas and 3 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | April 3, 2026 |
| Main results expected | August 31, 2028 |
| Study ends | August 31, 2029 |
| Registry record updated | August 5, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06138405 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are licensed dentists, dental hygienists, or dental assistants who treat children aged 2–10 and child patients (with their caregivers) who are English-speaking and willing to be videotaped.
✕Probably not a fit
Families who do not speak English, children with severe cognitive or behavioral conditions not represented in the trial, or clinics unwilling to be videotaped or to adopt the techniques may not benefit from this program.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This cluster randomized trial randomizes dental clinics to receive an 8-hour, hands-on workshop immediately or after a delay, and compares provider behavior and acceptability between groups. Dental providers complete knowledge measures, practice skills with simulated child patients, and are filmed with child patients in clinic before and after training to measure use of specific interaction techniques, child on-task behavior, and fear/anxiety. All participants receive the same training content; researchers use video coding and pre/post measures to quantify changes in provider skill use and acceptability. The training is adapted from Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), a well-established behavior management program for young children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the training could reduce children's anxiety, improve cooperation during dental care, and make visits quicker and less traumatic for families.
How similar studies have gone: The approach is adapted from Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, which has strong evidence in preschool behavioral work, but applying PCIT-style training specifically to dental settings is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Dental Providers * Licensed dentist, licensed or certified dental hygienist, or dental assistant * Provides (or willing to consider providing) dental treatment for children between 2 years and 10 years old -\>= 18 years old * Fluent in spoken and written English * Willing to be videotaped Parent/Caregivers * Understands spoken and written English * Willing to be videotaped * Provide signed and dated informed consent form * Willing to comply with all study procedures and be available for the duration of the study Child Dental Patients * Child between 2 years, 0 months, and 0 days, and 10 years, 11 months, 30 days old * Receiving preventive, restorative, emergency or any other dental treatment * Accompanied by a parent/caregiver * Understands spoken and written English * Willing to be videotaped * Parent/guardian provides signed and dated informed consent form * Provide assent (if 7+ years old and who do not have an obvious cognitive impairment or are "mentally immature") * Willing to comply with all study procedures and be available for the duration of the study * In good general health as evidenced by medical history Exclusion Criteria: * Cognitive impairment or developmental delay * Major medical problem in child * Autism or other developmental/neurodevelopmental disorders * Anything that would place the individual at increased risk or preclude the individual's full compliance with or completion of the study.
Where it's running
-
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States Recruiting -
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida, United States Recruiting -
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States Not yet recruiting -
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia, United States Not yet recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Daniel W McNeil, PhD — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Mary L Davis, CRDH
- Email: MDavis@dental.ufl.edu
- Phone: 352-222-7034
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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.