Brief Summary

In this study the objective is to establish in depth knowledge about adolescents' oral health characteristics, - practices and - needs. Further, we want to evaluate whether adolescents' caries status can be associated with existing socio-economic inequality, emotional health and lifestyle factors. The main question\[s\] it aims to answer are:

What is the caries prevalence in different age groups?
Is there any difference in caries prevalence linked to specific age groups, gender or urban versus rural areas?
Are approximal tooth surfaces especially prone to the development of new caries lesions?
Is the caries increment from 12 to 20 years a continuous process or are there high-risk periods within this timespan?
How is the prevalence of enamel caries? Is enamel caries more prevalent in younger age groups than in older age groups?
What are the patterns of recall intervals and non-attendance in different age groups, among adolescents in Trøndelag?
What are the attendance rates and prevalence of non-attendance at dental appointments in different age groups?
What is the recall interval between regular follow-up dental visits?
Are there any recall or attendance characteristics linked to age group, gender or urban versus rural areas?
What factors (i.e. oral health behaviours, socioeconomic-, lifestyle- and parental factors) are associated with caries among Norwegian adolescents?
How are the oral health behaviours (i.e. dietary- and oral hygiene habits, attendance to dental care) among adolescents, and are there any shared oral health behavioural challenges?
Is the caries prevalence linked to life challenges (mental illness, alcohol/drug use and chronic diseases)?
To what degree are oral health behaviours associated with caries among adolescents?
Is there any association between media screen time and oral health behaviours, and cariesstatus?
Is there any association between physical activity, sport participation and oral health behaviours, and caries status?
What are the associations between socioeconomic factors (study program, birth- and migration background, and parental income, education and employment) and oral health behaviours, and caries status? For research question 1 and 2, the sample will be adolescents aged 12-20 years living in Trøndelag county in the time period 2008-2020, (n≈115000, Statistics Norway, SSB). Data will be extracted from dental health records in the public dental service (Den offentlige tannhelsetjenesten, Trøndelag Fylkeskommune). The public dental service annually reports caries prevalence for 12- and 18-year-olds, Statistics Norway, SSB (Figure 1). However, the knowledge is modest about the caries development within the six years from 12 to 18 years of age. Further, the public dental service offers subsidised dental care to 19- and 20-year-olds. Extracting data from dental health records in the public dental service will give us the opportunity to explore the caries increment at multiple timepoints, and attendance rates at dental appointments throughout the teenage period from 12 to 20 years of age. For research question 3, the sample will be adolescents (n≈8000) and their parents that participated in the fourth survey of The Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT4) in 2017-2019. Self-reported questionnaire data will be linked to data from dental health records in the public dental service.

Trial Health

At Risk

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Trial has exceeded expected completion date

Enrollment

115,000

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for all trials

Timeline

Completed

Started Jan 2008

Longer than P75 for all trials

Geographic Reach

1 country

1 active site

Status

unknown

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

17.4 years study duration

Study Start

First participant enrolled

January 1, 2008

Completed

13 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

December 31, 2020

Completed

2.5 years until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

June 28, 2023

Completed

9 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

July 7, 2023

Completed

1.9 years until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

May 27, 2025

Completed

Last Updated

July 7, 2023

Status Verified

June 1, 2023

Enrollment Period

13 years

First QC Date

June 28, 2023

Last Update Submit

June 28, 2023

Conditions

Caries,Dental

Keywords

CariesAdolescentsCaries risk factors

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

Caries increment at dentine level
Difference in caries experience at dentine level from 12 to 18 years of age
Six years
Enamel caries increment
Difference in enamel caries increment from 12 to 18 years of age
Six years

Secondary Outcomes (2)

Baseline caries experience - impact on increment
six years
Impact on increment - sex
six years