It’s no secret that dental caries, commonly known as tooth decay, is a prevalent issue among children. In fact, it is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide. When a child has a primary tooth extracted due to caries, there is a risk of further recurrence. This is where the Dental RECUR trial comes into play. The purpose of this study, conducted in the UK, was to explore the efficacy of a dental nurse-delivered intervention in preventing the recurrence of dental caries in children following an extraction procedure. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the study, its methods, results, and implications for clinical practice.
What is the purpose of the Dental RECUR trial?
The primary objective of the Dental RECUR trial was to assess the effectiveness of the Dental RECUR Brief Negotiated Interview for Oral Health (DR-BNI) in reducing the recurrence of dental caries. The trial focused on children aged 5 to 7 years who had undergone primary tooth extraction. The DR-BNI intervention, led by trained dental nurses, aimed to engage parents in a structured conversation informed by motivational interviewing. The goal was to establish preventive measures and set up follow-up appointments with general dental practitioners.
This trial aimed to determine whether this dental nurse-delivered intervention could successfully reduce the risk of caries recurrence in children, providing valuable insights for improving pediatric dental practice internationally.
How was the study conducted?
The Dental RECUR trial was a 2-arm multicenter randomized controlled trial with blinded outcome assessment. A total of 241 children, scheduled to have primary teeth extracted in 12 UK centers, participated in the study. These children were randomly assigned to either the test intervention group (receiving the DR-BNI) or the control group (receiving a conversation about child future tooth eruption).
Baseline assessments revealed that the mean dmft (decay, missing, and filled teeth) score was 6.8 for the DR-BNI group and 6.3 for the control group. Following tooth extraction, a single examiner visited 189 schools to conduct final dental assessments two years after the intervention. Of the 241 children, 193 participated in the examination (80% participation rate).
What were the results of the trial?
The results of the Dental RECUR trial demonstrated a significant reduction in the recurrence of dental caries in the test group compared to the control group. In the control group, 62% of children developed new caries in teeth that were caries-free or unerupted at baseline. However, in the test group, only 44% experienced new caries, indicating a 51% reduction in the odds of new caries experience in the DR-BNI group compared to the control group. The relative risk of new caries experience also decreased by 29% in the DR-BNI group.
These findings highlight the success of a low-cost, low-intensity intervention in significantly reducing the risk of dental caries recurrence among children. The implementation of a motivational interviewing-informed brief intervention, such as the DR-BNI, allows dental nurses to facilitate behavior change and improve the oral health outcomes of children at high caries risk.
What are the implications for clinical practice?
The Dental RECUR trial has several implications for clinical practice in pediatric dentistry. The study emphasizes the effectiveness of a dental nurse-delivered intervention, specifically the DR-BNI, in preventing the recurrence of dental caries. This low-cost and low-intensity intervention offers a promising approach for improving oral health outcomes in children.
The findings of this trial suggest that training dental nurses in motivational interviewing and implementing brief interventions can be highly beneficial. By identifying children at high caries risk, setting preventive goals, and establishing follow-up appointments, dental nurses can play a pivotal role in behavior change and oral health improvement.
This research has the potential to impact pediatric dental practice internationally, bringing attention to the importance of structured conversations and preventive measures. Implementing the DR-BNI and similar interventions can help reduce the burden of dental caries and promote better oral health among children globally.
Takeaways
The Dental RECUR trial provides valuable insights into the efficacy of a dental nurse-delivered intervention, the DR-BNI, in preventing the recurrence of dental caries in children. The study’s results indicate a significant reduction in the risk of new caries experience in the test group compared to the control group.
By implementing motivational interviewing and establishing preventive goals, dental nurses can play a crucial role in improving oral health outcomes for children at high caries risk. This trial’s success highlights the potential for changing pediatric dental practice internationally and promoting behavior change towards better oral health.
Source: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0022034519886808
Learn more about the impact of diet on dental health in an article on Prehistoric Dental Decay: Dietary Shifts & Dental Health.
Disclaimer: While I have a passion for health, I am not a medical doctor and this is not medical advice.
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