Clinical trial NCT06877117: Rectangular Collimation in Pediatric Dentistry
Official title: Exploring Nudging Strategies to Encourage Rectangular Collimation in Pediatric Dental Practice
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION
Phase: NA
Conditions: Behaviour Change
Nudging
Rectangular Colllimation in Pediatric Dentistry
Lead sponsor: University of Toronto
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2025-03-14
Enrollment: 6473
Sex: ALL
Standard ages: CHILD
ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: OTHER

Brief summary: This project aims to investigate whether simple behavioural interventions, such as pictorial framing and traffic-light-color-coding, can positively influence pediatric dentists' decision-making in adopting rectangular collimation over round collimation for dental radiographs taken in clinical practice.

Detailed description: 1. Introduction Dental radiographs are essential in diagnosing oral conditions in pediatric patients. Despite the availability of rectangular collimation as a recommended radiation safety measure, many pediatric dentists continue to use round collimation, which results in unnecessary radiation exposure. This study explores whether nudging strategies-such as pictorial framing and traffic-light color coding-can influence pediatric dentists' decision-making to encourage the adoption of rectangular collimation.
2. Research Objectives

   This study aims to:

   Educate pediatric dentists on the benefits of rectangular collimation over round collimation.

   Assess current collimation practices among pediatric dentists. Evaluate whether behavioral nudging strategies influence pediatric dentists' willingness to adopt rectangular collimation.
3. Study Hypothesis Null Hypothesis: Nudging strategies (pictorial framing and traffic-light color coding) have no impact on pediatric dentists' willingness to adopt rectangular collimation.

   Alternative Hypothesis: The implementation of nudging strategies positively influences pediatric dentists to use rectangular collimation.
4. Methodology Study Design

   * A randomized, quantitative survey distributed online.
   * Three study groups:

1. Control Group (No nudging intervention) 2. Pictorial Framing Group (Visual aids illustrating collimation benefits) 3. Traffic-Light Color Coding Group (Decision cues using color-based risk indicators)

Participants Target Population: Pediatric dentists who are active members of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) in the U.S. and Canada.

Sample Size: As a one of its kind research project, the minimum for comparison is 30 participants in each sample group.

Data Collection A self-administered online survey conducted via REDCap. Survey distribution follows randomization of participants into the three groups.

Three e-mail invitations sent at two-week intervals over a six-week period.

Outcome Measures Primary Outcome: Change in willingness to adopt rectangular collimation. Secondary Outcome: Differences in responses across study groups.

Statistical Analysis Descriptive and comparative statistics using SPSS. Statistical significance set at p \< 0.05.

5. Ethical Considerations Study approved by the University of Toronto Health Sciences Research Ethics Board.

Participants' responses are anonymous, and data security measures are in place.

6. Expected Impact This study will provide valuable insights into behavioral interventions for pediatric dentistry. If effective, nudging strategies could be incorporated into clinical guidelines to enhance radiation safety practices.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* active members of American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

Exclusion Criteria:

* pre and post doctoral students and affiliated members

Primary outcomes:
measure: Behavioral Change
timeFrame: Day 1
Secondary outcomes:
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Toronto
country: Canada
facility: Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto
state: Ontario
Study officials:
affiliation: University of Toronto
name: Hashim Nainar, Dentist
role: STUDY_DIRECTOR
References:
citation: Oakes AH, Patel MS. A nudge towards increased experimentation to more rapidly improve healthcare. BMJ Qual Saf. 2020 Mar;29(3):179-181. doi: 10.1136/bmjqs-2019-009948. Epub 2019 Nov 19. No abstract available.
citation: Schubbe D, Scalia P, Yen RW, Saunders CH, Cohen S, Elwyn G, van den Muijsenbergh M, Durand MA. Using pictures to convey health information: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects on patient and consumer health behaviors and outcomes. Patient Educ Couns. 2020 Oct;103(10):1935-1960. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2020.04.010. Epub 2020 May 11.