RecruitingInterventional

reMOte DEntal tReatment planniNg study- MODERN study

Tooth decay is the most common reason children in the UK are admitted to hospital. Some young people need to be put to sleep under general anaesthetic to have their dental treatment carried out safely. Getting the treatment plan right beforehand is essential so everything is fixed in one visit. However, specialist children's dentists are not available everywhere in the UK. The MODERN study is testing whether specialists can create accurate treatment plans remotely. At routine appointments at Liverpool University Dental Hospital, researchers will take five quick photos of the child's teeth. Specialists will review these photos alongside normal X-rays on a secure computer system to see if their remote plan matches the face-to-face plan. Parents may also do a short online interview to share their thoughts. The goal is to make specialist dental care fairer and easier to reach.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University of Liverpool

Enrolment target

Start

12 May 2026

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2026

Children/young person aged 4-16 who are treatment planned for a dental general anaesthetic (DGA)

What is this study about?

Tooth decay is a very common problem among children in the UK. When severe decay happens, children often need dental surgery under general anaesthetic, meaning they are completely asleep while their teeth are treated. It is crucial that dentists plan this surgery carefully before the day of the procedure. If an infected or damaged tooth is missed, the child might need a second operation, which can be upsetting for the family and puts extra pressure on the NHS.

Specialist children's dentists are experts at planning these treatments. Unfortunately, there are not enough of these specialists across the UK, meaning access can depend heavily on where you live. Families in some areas may wait longer or have to travel long distances for an assessment.

Researchers at the University of Liverpool want to find out if specialist dentists can accurately assess a child's teeth from a distance. By using high-quality photographs taken inside the mouth alongside regular dental X-rays, specialists will design treatment plans online. The study team will then compare these digital plans against the plans made in person to see if they are just as reliable.

If successful, this approach could help NHS hospitals share specialist expertise more widely. It may reduce the need for families to travel to regional dental hospitals just for an initial check-up, making high-quality dental care faster and fairer for everyone.

Key takeaways

Tests whether specialist dentists can plan operations accurately using photos and X-rays instead of an in-person visit.
Open to children aged 4 to 16 attending Liverpool University Dental Hospital for general anaesthetic planning.
Involves five quick photos of the teeth during a normal appointment; no extra X-rays are taken.
Your child's actual hospital treatment plan will not change or be delayed.
Completely voluntary with very low risk, designed to improve future NHS dental access.

Who may be eligible?

This study is open to children and young people aged 4 to 16 who are already booked to have dental treatment planned under general anaesthetic at Liverpool University Dental Hospital. To be included, the child must have had routine dental X-rays taken during their consultation.

A parent or legal guardian must attend the appointment with the child and be able to give formal consent. The child should also be comfortable having photographs taken inside their mouth with a small camera.

Children will not be able to join if they find having photos of their teeth taken too distressing or difficult. Children in care whose attending carer does not have legal authority to give consent cannot take part, nor can families where suitable translation services are unavailable.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

My child is aged between 4 and 16 years old.
My child is being planned for dental treatment under general anaesthetic at Liverpool University Dental Hospital.
My child has already had routine dental X-rays taken at their visit.
I am the child's parent or legal guardian and can give formal consent.
My child is happy and able to have quick photos taken inside their mouth.

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

Taking part in the study happens during your child's routine hospital visit, so there are no extra trips to Liverpool University Dental Hospital just for the trial. During the appointment, a member of the team will take five simple photographs of your child's teeth using a small camera. This takes only a few minutes. No extra X-rays, drills, or injections are needed—the study only uses the X-rays already taken for normal care.

After the appointment, the photos and X-rays are completely anonymised so no names or personal details are attached. They are uploaded to a secure online platform where specialist dentists will review them and make a treatment plan. This test plan will not replace or delay your child's real care plan made during the visit.

Parents and carers may also be invited to take part in an optional online interview from home. This is a short discussion to hear your views on whether you find remote planning acceptable. Specialists will also share their feedback on using the computer system. The entire study runs from May 2026 to June 2028.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part carries very low risk. The main minor inconvenience is the extra few minutes it takes to have photographs taken inside your child's mouth, and the time spent on an online interview if you choose to take part. There is no direct personal medical benefit for your child, as their actual dental care will follow the normal face-to-face hospital plan. However, your family's help could improve NHS dental services for thousands of children in the future. Joining is entirely voluntary, and you can withdraw at any time without affecting your child's care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Liverpool, England

Common questions

Will my child need any extra X-rays for this study?

No. The study only uses the routine X-rays that the dental team has already taken as part of your child's normal NHS care.

Could taking part change or delay my child's dental operation?

No. Your child's actual treatment will follow the normal plan agreed during their face-to-face visit. The remote plans are only used by researchers for comparison.

Are the photographs kept private and secure?

Yes. All personal details are removed from the photographs and X-rays before they are uploaded to a secure, password-protected NHS research platform.

Do I have to do the parent interview to let my child take part?

No. The parent interview is an optional part of the study. You can agree to your child having photos taken without having to take part in an interview yourself.

What happens if my child doesn't like having photos taken?

If your child feels uncomfortable or does not want their picture taken, the researcher will stop immediately. You can leave the study at any time with no fuss.

How to find out more

Sarah McKernon

mckernon@liverpool.ac.uk +44 01517065000 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.