Background |
DHSRU has, over decades conducted randomised clinical trials (RCTs) in dental primary
care. This has made an impact on dental practice and national policy (e.g. in the provision
of fissure sealants) and has led to the development of research tools, infrastructure and
maintenance of network links necessary to inform future high quality RCTs. |
Progress highlighting INTERVAL and FICTION trials |
DHSRU works collaboratively with the Scottish Dental Practice Based Research Network
(SDPBRN) and colleagues in Dundee Dental Hospital and School and throughout the
UK. Currently, two National Institute of Health Research Health Technology Assessment
(NIHR HTA) funded trials have been awarded. A third will be awarded in 2011, conditional
on receipt of a favourable ethical opinion. This track record is exceptional in the UK and
international contexts. |
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 NIHR HTA INTERVAL Dental Recalls Trial (Investigation of NICE Technologies for Enabling
Risk-Variable-Adjusted-Length Dental Recalls Trial)
This ongoing UK collaborative study is designed to evaluate the effectiveness and cost
effectiveness of three dental recall strategies by assessing their impact on maintaining
oral health. The first recall strategy is as advocated by NICE guidance: personalised
variable intervals determined by risk information derived from comprehensive oral health
assessment and review. The second strategy is the conventional 6 month interval between
routine check ups; the third strategy is 24 month recall intervals. Professors Pitts & Clarkson
are joint Principal Investigators working with the CSO Health Services Research Unit and
the Centre for Healthcare Randomised Trials at the University of Aberdeen. The study
is being delivered in dental practices in both fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas in
Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland and, on completion of Phase I (Feasibility) in
ten practices, the team await approval to proceed to Phase 2 (Main Trial). Outcomes will be
assessed by validated measures of quality of life, dental caries and periodontal disease.
Further information is available at
http://public.ukcrn.org.uk/search/StudyDetail.aspx?StudyID=8812
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 NIHR HTA FiCTION Trial (Filling Children’s Teeth: Indicated Or Not)
This UK collaborative RCT is comparing the clinical and cost-effectiveness of three
management approaches for dental decay in primary teeth: surgical management with
best practice prevention; biological management with best practice prevention; and best
practice prevention alone. Joint Principal Investigators are Professor Clarkson, Dr Nicola
Innes (Dundee Dental School, University of Dundee), and Professor Gail Douglas (University
of Leeds). The FiCTION Pilot Rehearsal Trial started on 1 April 2010. Collaborators are the
Universities of Dundee, Leeds, Newcastle, Sheffield, Cardiff, Glasgow, Kings College London
and Barts and the London hospitals. Further information on the FiCTION Trial is available at
http://public.ukcrn.org.uk/Search/StudyDetail.aspx?StudyID=8220 Collaborative ties with SDPBRN have also been strengthened by DHSRU input into a
number of research projects including attitudinal surveys for a variety of primary care
dental behaviours, as well as RCTs evaluating interventions specifically designed to
encourage quality health care delivery.
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Images below |
Recruitment sites for NIHR HTA INTERVAL and FiCTION trials. |
Impact Statement |
By conducting high quality trials, analyses and following broad-ranging result
dissemination strategies through professional, primary care, public and scientific routes,
DHSRU continues to have direct impacts on dental practice and national policy. |
