Everybody Brush: A Community-wide Toothpaste Distribution Campaign

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Dental caries (tooth decay) is a disease with significant public health implications afflicting low-income children, with marked rural disparities in disease prevalence and treatment. More than 70% of 11th grade children in Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson counties have experienced tooth decay. Effective approaches to prevent decay include brushing with fluoridated toothpaste and professional dental care. Medicaid enrolled children are legally entitled to dental care under Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT), yet <50% had any care in 2010. Free distribution of toothpaste and toothbrushes combined with parental education can increase toothbrushing frequency and reducing tooth decay. However, many parents are confused about when to start, how much and often toothpaste should be used, and how to overcome behavioral difficulties in brushing toddlers' teeth or getting older children to brush their own. The investigators' objective is to implement and evaluate a community-wide toothpaste distribution campaign enhanced by telephone support for OHP children and adolescents and their families in Central Oregon

Detailed Description
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A community-wide toothpaste distribution campaign enhanced by telephone support. A tooth kit with toothpaste and toothbrushes for the whole family together with oral hygiene instructions in English and Spanish will be mailed every 3 months. Half of the population will be randomly assigned to also receive telephone support (Short message service and one-to-one calls). Families will receive biweekly messages with oral hygiene tips. Bilingual culturally competent staff will be available by telephone to support families in overcoming barriers.

Official Title
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Bending the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) Dentistry Cost Curve in Central Oregon by Reducing the Burden of Oral Disease

Conditions
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Dental Caries

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Toothpaste & Telephone Support


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Family speaks English or Spanish Exclusion Criteria: None

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 6 Months
Maximum Age: 20 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Toothpaste & Telephone Support<br>A tool kit with toothpaste and toothbrushes for the whole family along with oral hygiene instructions in both English and Spanish will be mailed to the homes of all OHP children and adolescents every three months. Half the populations will be assigned to also receive telephone support. | Behavioral: Toothpaste & Telephone Support<br>* Mailed toothpaste, messages and telephone support.<br>|
| Toothpaste only<br>A tool kit with toothpaste and toothbrushes for the whole family along with oral hygiene instructions will be mailed every three months | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| increased twice-a-day toothbrushing Toothbrushing | Parent reported toothbrushing frequency for child | 1 year | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Satisfaction | Dental Satisfaction Questionnaire | 1 year | 
| Cost | Per member per month cost of care | 1 year | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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children, fluoridated toothpaste, health education, Medicaid