Gingivitis
Conditions
Brief summary
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.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALFinancial Incentives
BEHAVIORALCognitive Incentives
BEHAVIORALFinancial and Cognitive Incentives
Sponsors
University of Pennsylvania
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
FACTORIAL
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
SINGLE (Investigator)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
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.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Follow-up Gingival Index | 6 months |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency and duration of toothbrushing | 3 months | — |
| End of treatment Gingival Index | 3 months | Gingival Index at the end of behavioral incentives |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed