Incentives for Daily Tooth Brushing to Reduce Gingivitis

University of Pennsylvania152 enrolled

Overview

In this randomized controlled study, the investigators compare two classes of behavioral approaches to change habits and health outcomes with an application to dental health: cognitive vs. behavioral financial incentives. Under cognitive incentives subjects are paid to correctly answer health-related quizzes. Under behavioral incentives subjects earn money for making healthy choices. The investigators apply these incentives to toothbrushing, a daily health-related behavior critical to the prevention of dental caries and periodontal disease, two high-burden conditions among US adults.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

152

Conditions

Gingivitis

Interventions

Financial IncentivesBEHAVIORAL

Cognitive IncentivesBEHAVIORAL

Financial and Cognitive IncentivesBEHAVIORAL

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Male or female older than 18 years, with at least 10 teeth present. Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy, uncontrolled diabetes, systemic antibiotics taken within the previous 2 months, need for referral for periodontal treatment.

Locations (1)

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Follow-up Gingival Index

Time frame: 6 months

Secondary Outcomes

Frequency and duration of toothbrushing

Time frame: 3 months

End of treatment Gingival Index

Gingival Index at the end of behavioral incentives

Time frame: 3 months

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.