Breaking the Cycle: Real-Time Family Oral Microbial Transmission Patterns as Intervention Targets (NCT07674888) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Breaking the Cycle: Real-Time Family Oral Microbial Transmission Patterns as Intervention Targets
Canada225 participantsStarted 2026-09-30
Plain-language summary
This study aims to understand how oral bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease spread among family members and whether treating multiple family members can reduce the return of these bacteria after dental treatment.
Families with children aged 5-12 years will be recruited from university dental clinics. Participants will be assigned to one of three treatment groups: treatment for the child only, treatment for the child and parents, or treatment for all family members. Researchers will collect oral bacterial samples from family members before and after treatment and will monitor close-contact interactions within the household using wearable proximity-tracking devices.
The study will also collect information about oral health habits, family interactions, and environmental factors that may influence bacterial transmission. By combining bacterial DNA analysis with information about family contact patterns, researchers hope to better understand how oral bacteria are shared within households and whether family-based treatment approaches can reduce bacterial recolonization after dental therapy.
The results of this study may help improve strategies for preventing childhood tooth decay and gum disease by addressing family-level sources of bacterial transmission.
Who can participate
Age range
5 Years – 5 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Families with at least two children aged 5-12 years living in the same household.
* least one parent or guardian diagnosed with Stage II or III periodontitis requiring non-surgical periodontal therapy.
* At least one child who has undergone caries treatment and is considered at high risk for disease recurrence.
* Willingness of all participating household members to provide oral samples and participate in study procedures.
* Ability of participants or their legal guardians to provide informed consent, and assent from children where applicable.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Children living in multiple households or shared-custody arrangements during the study period.
* Households unable to complete study visits or follow-up procedures.
* Individuals unwilling or unable to comply with study procedures.
* Individuals who do not provide informed consent or assent, where applicable.
* Medical or behavioral conditions that, in the opinion of the investigators, would preclude safe participation in the study.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Proportional Contribution of Familial Sources to Oral Microbial Recolonization