Personalized oral care (Precaries): an intervention study customized according to genetic cause and risk
Authors: Westerlund Anna , Khalifa Halah , Yousif Ranna , Araujo Gustavo , Lundqvist Evelina , Larsson Erica , Thrastardottir Rakel , Akhlaghi Rebecka , Granciuc Victoria , Svanberg Charlotta , André Maria , Lehrkinder Anna , Bazargani Farhan , Radsjö Christina Goriel , Carlfjord Caspar , Krämer Anke , Ganzer Niels , Hansson Isabell , Frilund Erik , Josefsson Eva , Lindsten Rune , Magnusson Anders , Grunwald Brygida , Hittini Firas , Kryeziu Nurije , Looström Henning , Sonesson Mikael , Al-Taha Reem , Surac Hanna , Esmaili Seifi , Isic Haris , Tegnell Anna , Andersson Samuel , Lövgren Mai Lin , Kallunki Jenny , Lorenzo Anna E , Arezzo Elena , Jasna Agata , Raviprakash Tumkur Sitaram , Strömqvist-Engbo Eva , Burstedt Amanda , Rosenbaum William , Öhman Oscar , Lohr Wolfgang , Rönn Ann-Charlotte , Axelsson Tomas , Mårell Lena , Österman Lennart , Hollox Edward J , Westerlind Ulrika , Persson Karina , Clausen Henrik , Liv Per , Rydén Patrik , Henriksson Johan , Carroll Laura , Sheng Nongfei , Larsson Pär , Strömberg Nicklas 
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Dental caries is a disease that affects billions of people, and involves high and low genetic susceptibility phenotypes and different causal subtypes. The randomized clinical trial Precaries-RCT will evaluate caries prevention in adolescents, customized according to genetic cause and risk. Here we describe the Precaries-RCT and two nested Precaries studies for cost-efficient oral healthcare and personalized dentistry.

Methods and analysis

Here we present a basic and adaptive protocol for the Precaries-RCT multicentre caries intervention study, customized according to genetic cause and risk. It includes prescreening for high versus low genetic caries susceptibility, through self-performed sampling by mail of up to 2000 adolescents aimed for orthodontic treatment at community clinics, of which 520 are enrolled in the RCT. The participants are allocated into two groups – a high and a low genetic caries susceptibility group – that each is assigned to intensive or standard prevention. The primary outcome is % reduction in caries increment, relative to prevention and genotype, with caries outcomes measured using tactile and visual methods, bitewing radiographs, clinical photos, and quantitative laser fluorescence. The adaptive design allows for determination of incidence and progression rates and for inclusion of additional human and microbiota biomarkers and study subjects. Biological samples (e.g. swab DNA, whole and parotid saliva, and microbiota) and questionnaire data are collected. Here we also outline the nested Precaries-adolescent sample for mining of predictor and therapeutic target genes and Precaries-birth cohort samples for implementation of our findings in childhood.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was obtained from the Swedish national board research ethics committee (Dnr 2020-02533). Informed consent will be obtained from each participant. The findings will be disseminated to the public through conference presentations and publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Trial registration number

www.clinicaltrials.gov,NCT05600517

STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS OF THIS STUDY

Caries classification and prevention customized according to genetic cause and risk, and caries outcome measurements by tactile and visual methods, bitewing radiographs, clinical photos, and quantitative laser fluorescence.

Multicentre study with orthodontic patients and conditions representative of the Public Dental Service clinics in Sweden, facilitating implementation, though in a part of the population.

Prospective study design in an orthodontic model with shortened study time and caries development on available smooth tooth surfaces. Frequent follow-up enables study termination of individuals with high caries progression, which may allow further shortening of study times, but with reduced individual data for the entire study period.

Consensus-based intensified and self-care prevention in multiple repeated blocks, ensuring a high therapeutic dose; and basic and adaptive design, allowing flexible study time, caries incidence and progression outcomes, and extensive genetic profiling for online multimodal machine learning.

Synergizes with the Precaries-adolescence sample for mining of caries predictors and therapeutics, and Precaries-birth cohort for implementation in primary dentition/childhood.