Active not recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Involving Parents to Improve Tooth Brushing for Autistic Children.

This study aims to make tooth brushing easier for autistic children and their parents. We know that many parents of autistic children feel misunderstood by dental staff, and their children often have more dental problems. This research explores whether a special oral health training program, called Mini Mouth Care Matters, can help parents feel more confident in brushing their child’s teeth, lead to more frequent brushing, and reduce the challenges sometimes faced during brushing. Parents of autistic children aged 3 to 15 will be invited to take part if their child attends a special education setting. Half of the parents will receive advice from the 'Delivering Better Oral Health' guide, and the other half will get the Mini Mouth Care Matters training. We hope to recruit up to 60 parents in total.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust

Enrolment target

Start

03 Jan 2024

Estimated completion

31 Mar 2025

Oral Health

What is this study about?

This study is all about helping parents of autistic children make tooth brushing a more positive experience. We know that keeping teeth clean can be tricky for many families, and parents of autistic children sometimes find it even harder. They've told us that dental teams don't always understand the unique challenges they face when trying to help their child brush their teeth.

Research has shown that autistic children, especially those in special schools, can have more dental problems, like plaque buildup and needing teeth removed, compared to children in mainstream schools. This highlights a real need for better support in looking after their oral health. There are already helpful resources available, like tips on choosing the right toothpaste or toothbrush, and how to create a good environment for brushing.

So, this study wants to see if giving parents special training in oral healthcare, called 'Mini Mouth Care Matters', can really make a difference. We want to find out if this training makes parents feel more confident about brushing their child's teeth, if children end up brushing more often, and if those difficult brushing moments become less frequent. By understanding this better, we hope to improve the oral health and overall well-being of autistic children.

Key takeaways

Focuses on improving tooth brushing for autistic children.
Compares two different oral health training methods for parents.
Aims to boost parent confidence and reduce brushing challenges.
Involves parents of autistic children aged 3-15 in special education settings.
Up to 60 parents will participate in total.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be a parent or carer of an autistic child aged between 3 and 15 years old. Your child must have received a professional diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

Also, your child must attend a special education setting. It's important that you can understand verbal explanations and written information in English, as this is how the study information will be shared.

We cannot include parents or carers who are unable to understand English or provide their consent to take part.

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.

Are you a parent or carer of an autistic child?
Is your child aged between 3 and 15 years old?
Does your child have a professional diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder?
Does your child attend a Special Education Setting?
Can you understand verbal explanations and written information in English?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you'll be joining a study with other parents of autistic children. The special education setting your child attends will be randomly placed into one of two groups. One group will receive advice from the 'Delivering Better Oral Health' guide. The other group will be trained using the 'Mini Mouth Care Matters' guide. You'll be given at least 48 hours to read and think about all the study information before you decide if you'd like to sign a consent form to participate. The study will monitor how these different approaches help parents and children with tooth brushing. We plan to include up to 60 parents in total.

Potential risks and benefits

The potential benefits of taking part include gaining new skills and confidence in supporting your child's oral health, which could lead to better dental health for them. There are no notable risks associated with participating in this study beyond the time commitment. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect the care you or your child receive.

Locations (1)

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

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust
Verified postcode
Brighton, United Kingdom

Common questions

What kind of children can take part?

Children aged 3 to 15 who have an official diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder and attend a special education setting.

What training will I receive if I join?

Depending on which group your child's school is in, you will either receive advice from the 'Delivering Better Oral Health' guide or the 'Mini Mouth Care Matters' training.

How many parents are taking part?

A maximum of 60 parents will be recruited in total, with up to 30 in each training group.

How long do I have to decide if I want to join?

You will be given at least 48 hours to think about the study information before deciding whether to take part.

Will my child have to do anything directly?

The study focuses on supporting parents to improve tooth brushing habits, so your child won't directly participate in the training sessions.