October 10, 2022

HABIT: Health visitors delivering Advice in Britain on Infant Toothbrushing – an early-phase feasibility study of a complex oral health intervention

CHORAL Team

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Co-applicant

CONCLUSION: This feasibility study has demonstrated that HABIT is an appropriate oral health intervention. Adaptions to the study design are recommended to maximise recruitment and data collection in a definitive study. These quantitative findings have demonstrated an early signal of impact for improved oral health behaviours for young children at high risk of decay. 

BMJ Open. 2022 Oct 10;12(10):e059665. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-059665.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To conduct an early-phase feasibility study of an oral health intervention, Health visitors delivering Advice on Britain on Infant Toothbrushing (HABIT), delivered by Health Visitors to parents of children aged 9-12 months old.

DESIGN: A mixed-methods, early-phase, non-controlled, feasibility study.

PARTICIPANTS: Recruitment consisted of Group A-HABIT-trained Health Visitors (n=11) and Group B-parents of children aged 9-12 months old about to receive their universal health check (n=35).

SETTING: Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK.

INTERVENTION: A multidisciplinary team co-developed digital and paper-based training resources with health visitors and parents of young children. The intervention comprised of two components: (A) training for health visitors to deliver the HABIT intervention and (B) HABIT resources for parents, including a website, videos, toothbrushing demonstration and a paper-based leaflet with an oral health action plan.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Recruitment, retention and intervention delivery were analysed as key process outcomes for Groups A and B. Group B demographics, self-reported toothbrushing behaviours, dietary habits and three objective measures of toothbrushing including plaque scores were collected at baseline, 2 weeks and 3 months post intervention.

RESULTS: HABIT intervention delivery was feasible. Although the intended sample size was recruited (Group A=11 and Group B=35) it was more challenging than anticipated. Retention of Group B participants to final data collection was satisfactory (n=26). Total compliance with toothbrushing guidelines at baseline was low (30%), but significantly improved and was maintained 3 months after the intervention (68%). Plaque scores improved post intervention and participants found video recording of toothbrushing acceptable. Dietary habits remained largely unchanged.

CONCLUSION: This feasibility study has demonstrated that HABIT is an appropriate oral health intervention. Adaptions to the study design are recommended to maximise recruitment and data collection in a definitive study. These quantitative findings have demonstrated an early signal of impact for improved oral health behaviours for young children at high risk of decay.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN55332414.

PMID:36216423 | PMC:PMC9557312 | DOI:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-059665

 

 

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