Journal article
Testing a multi-behavioral intervention to improve oral health behaviors in the pediatric dental surgery population: protocol for the PROTECT trial
Frontiers in public health, Vol.13, 1488910
01/22/2025
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1488910
PMCID: PMC11809651
PMID: 39931301
Abstract
Severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) is a common disease within marginalized pediatric populations. S-ECC is often treated under general anesthesia to facilitate extensive treatment in young children, but treatment does not address etiology of an infectious disease that is rooted in health behaviors. Without behavior changes related to toothbrushing and sugar consumption, many children experience recurrent disease, and some require subsequent surgeries. To improve post-surgery oral health, we developed PROTECT (Preventing Recurrent Operations Targeting Early Childhood Caries Treatment), a community health worker (CHW)-delivered behavioral intervention for caregivers that focuses on children’s oral health behaviors. This study aims to test the efficacy of the PROTECT intervention compared to Usual Care (UC), to improve behavioral oral health outcomes. We will conduct a randomized clinical trial to test the efficacy of PROTECT ( n = 210) compared to UC ( n = 210) in the pediatric DGA (dental surgery under general anesthesia) population. We developed PROTECT through an iterative process, incorporating feedback from caregivers, dentists, and community health workers and through a small pilot trial. Caregivers will be recruited at their dental clinic and then will engage in a 10-session intervention with a community health worker. Topics covered will include education about toothbrushing and sugar consumption, behavioral strategies (e.g., goal setting, problem solving, self-monitoring), positive parenting and stress management and maintenance. Our two primary outcomes are parental assisted toothbrushing (twice/day, 2 min each time) and reduced added sugar consumption (less than 10% of overall daily caloric intake). Proposed mechanisms of change are self-efficacy and positive parenting. The ultimate goal of PROTECT is to prevent subsequent surgical events for children presenting with S-ECC to prevent further chronic disease and reduce costs and stress for families who already experience high levels of systemic barriers to their health.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Testing a multi-behavioral intervention to improve oral health behaviors in the pediatric dental surgery population: protocol for the PROTECT trial
- Creators
- Joanna Buscemi - DePaul UniversityTeresa G. Borowski - University of Illinois ChicagoDavid Avenetti - University of Illinois ChicagoLisa Tussing-Humphreys - University of Illinois ChicagoMolly Martin - University of Illinois ChicagoMarc S. Atkins - University of Illinois ChicagoTeresa Marshall - University of IowaMichael Berbaum - University of Illinois ChicagoHelen H. Lee - University of Illinois Chicago
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Frontiers in public health, Vol.13, 1488910
- DOI
- 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1488910
- PMID
- 39931301
- PMCID
- PMC11809651
- NLM abbreviation
- Front Public Health
- ISSN
- 2296-2565
- eISSN
- 2296-2565
- Publisher
- FRONTIERS MEDIA SA
- Grant note
- NIH's National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research: 4UH3DE032003-03
The author(s) declare that financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This project was supported by the NIH's National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (4UH3DE032003-03).
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 01/22/2025
- Academic Unit
- Preventive and Community Dentistry
- Record Identifier
- 9984781277602771
Metrics
10 Record Views