Early childhood caries (ECC) presents a significant challenge in both clinical and public health domains, particularly in Singapore. Despite sustained efforts over decades, the prevalence rates in the country remain among the highest in developed nations.

In response to this challenge, the Telehealth Core has collaborated with researchers from NUS Faculty of Dentistry, NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, the National University Hospital (NUH), Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health (SSHSPH), and the Health Promotion Board (HPB), to secure the National Medical Research Council (NMRC) Population Health Research Grant.

The funded project titled, “Technology-enabled Anticipatory Guidance and Peer Support in Empowering Parents to Prevent Early Childhood Caries: A Randomised Controlled Trial” aims at assessing the effectiveness of a comprehensive intervention strategy. This strategy involves anticipatory guidance and peer support, delivered through online or mobile platforms, to empower parents to adopt proper childcare practices, thereby preventing ECC. If proven effective, the intervention programme has the potential to reverse the concerning trend of ECC prevalence, paving the way for a positive trajectory in children’s oral and general health.

More details can be found here: https://www.dentistry.nus.edu.sg/News/FOD_GX_AECCP24.html