A Tele-detection and Referral Pathways Model for Early Childhood Caries Control

Summary

The aim of the study is to assess the effectiveness of ECC tele-detection methods combined with referral pathways, with and without user fee removal, in controlling ECC.

Conditions

• Early Childhood Caries

Interventions

DEVICE

Caries detection method: Intraoral camera

A specialized intraoral camera (C50) with fluorescence signal and selective chromatic amplification will be used to record intraoral structures in the form of videos and/or photos. The camera has four modes (Daylight, Daylight+, Perio and Caries modes) which can differentiate the color of tissues to provide a reliable diagnosis. The camera will be used in a systemic sequence to video record and capture photos of intraoral conditions in both arches. The intraoral camera will be connected to a laptop screen, and the captured videos and/ or photos will be transferred to an electronic platform.

DEVICE

Caries detection method: Smartphone camera

This is a low-cost electronic system consisting of a smartphone positioned in front of the oral cavity to scan the upper and lower jaws from the cheek then the tongue sides. The smartphone camera resolution should be sensitive enough to capture the intraoral structures (at least 1000 pixels). The focus will be adjusted, and the inbuilt flash will be used to obtain clear and sharp images. The photos will be transferred to the electronic platform.

OTHER

Referral pathway: User fee removal

The child's parent/ legal guardian will receive financial incentives. These a are designed to cover the costs of treatment and transportation and are tied to attending the preventive dental visit. The child will receive complete dental care.

OTHER

Referral pathway: Conventional referral

Children will be referred without providing financial incentives following the current standard of care in dental clinics in the public sector in Egypt. Care is planned by the receiving/ treating dentist, based on available resources, and hospital/ clinic policies. The screening/ sending dentist will inform the family about the oral health condition/s and planned treatment costs for which the child needs care and of available public and private facilities that offer the required care.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Alexandria

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Nourhan M Aly, M.Sc · Alexandria University

• Mona K El Kashlan, PhD · Alexandria University

• Nicolas Giraudeau · University Hospital Center of Montpellier, France

• Maha El Tantawi, PhD · Alexandria University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

DIAGNOSTIC

Masking

SINGLE

Model

FACTORIAL

Eligibility

Max Age

6 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-12-23

Primary Completion

2025-01-31

Completion

2025-01-31

Countries

• Egypt

Study Locations