reMOte DEntal tReatment planniNg study- MODERN study
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN14565920 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN14565920 |
| Integrated Research Application System (IRAS) | 334702 |
| Funder Reference Number | SGL030\1028 |
| Sponsor Reference Number | UoL001999 |
| Sponsor | University of Liverpool |
| Funder | University of Liverpool |
- Submission date
- 09/06/2026
- Registration date
- 12/06/2026
- Last edited
- 11/06/2026
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Overall study status
- Ongoing
- Condition category
- Oral Health
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Tooth decay is the most common reason that children are admitted to hospital in the UK. Many children need treatment under a dental general anaesthetic (GA), where they are asleep while dental treatment is carried out. It is important that the correct treatment plan is made before the GA so that all necessary treatment can be completed during a single procedure. If treatment needs are missed, a child may require a second GA, which can be distressing for the child and family and places additional demands on NHS services.
Specialists in paediatric dentistry are trained to assess children who require dental treatment under GA. However, many parts of the UK do not have easy access to these specialists. As a result, treatment planning can vary depending on where a child lives.
This study aims to explore whether specialists in paediatric dentistry can accurately create treatment plans remotely using photographs and dental X-rays, rather than seeing the child in person. The study will also explore how acceptable this approach is to parents, carers and dental specialists, and whether it could help improve access to specialist care in the future.
Who can participate?
Children aged 4 to 16 years who attend Liverpool University Dental Hospital and are planned for dental treatment under general anaesthetic; parents or guardians of participating children; and specialists in paediatric dentistry who work at Liverpool University Dental Hospital.
What does the study involve?
The study has three parts.
In the first part, children attending a routine hospital appointment for treatment planning under general anaesthetic will be invited to take part. Five photographs of their teeth will be taken. No additional X-rays will be required. Routine X-rays already taken as part of their normal care will be used. The child's treatment plan made during the hospital appointment will be recorded.
All identifying information will be removed from the photographs and X-rays before they are uploaded to a secure online platform. Specialists in paediatric dentistry will then review the images remotely and create a treatment plan. Researchers will compare the remote treatment plans with those made during the face-to-face appointment to see how closely they match.
In the second part, parents or guardians of participating children will be invited to take part in an online interview. The interview will explore their views on remote treatment planning and whether they would find this approach acceptable.
In the third part, specialists in paediatric dentistry will take part in discussions and evaluation activities to explore their experiences of using the online platform and identify ways it could be improved.
The study aims to recruit approximately 20 children, 10–15 parents or guardians, and 5 specialists in paediatric dentistry.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participants are unlikely to receive a direct benefit from taking part. However, the information gathered may help improve access to specialist paediatric dental services in the future and reduce inequalities in care for children who require treatment under general anaesthesia.
The risks associated with participation are low. Children will only have photographs taken of their teeth, which may take a few minutes during their appointment. No additional dental treatment or X-rays will be required. Parents and specialists who take part in interviews or discussions may be asked to spend additional time sharing their views and experiences. All information collected will be kept confidential and handled in accordance with data protection regulations.
Where is the study run from?
The University of Liverpool and Liverpool University Dental Hospital, UK.
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
May 2026 to June 2028.
Who is funding the study?
The University of Liverpool, UK.
Who is the main contact?
Sarah McKernon, Study Coordinator, University of Liverpool, mckernon@liverpool.ac.uk
Contact information
Principal investigator, Scientific
University of Liverpool
Liverpool
L3 5PS
United Kingdom
 ORCID ID |
0000-0001-6516-9497 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +44 01517065000 |
| sondos@liverpool.ac.uk |
Public
University of Liverpool
Liverpool
L3 5PS
United Kingdom
| ORCID ID |
0000-0002-3209-2849 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +44 01517065000 |
| mckernon@liverpool.ac.uk |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Allocation | N/A: single arm study |
| Masking | Open (masking not used) |
| Control | Uncontrolled |
| Assignment | Single |
| Purpose | Health services research |
| Scientific title | An exploration of remote treatment planning for a dental general anaesthetic by specialists in paediatric dentistry a mixed methods study |
| Study acronym | MODERN |
| Study objectives | 1. To explore the specificity and sensitivity of remote treatment planning by specialists in paediatric dentistry in a sample of 20 children and 5 specialists in paediatric dentistry 2.To understand the acceptability of remote treatment planning to parents/guardians of children requiring a dental general anaesthetic through one-to-one interviews 3. To evaluate the intervention among specialists in paediatric dentistry |
| Ethics approval(s) |
Approved 20/02/2026, London – City and East Research Ethics Committee (2 Redman Place, Stratford, London, E20 1JQ, United Kingdom; +44 0207 104 8171; cityandeast.rec@hra.nhs.uk), ref: 26/LO/0021 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Children/young person aged 4-16 who are treatment planned for a dental general anaesthetic (DGA) |
| Intervention | This is a pilot study testing a complex intervention. The first part of the study utilises a custom-built platform. Specialists in paediatric dentistry will use the platform to complete a treatment plan for a child requiring a DGA. The child will have attended a New Patient Consultation appointment and had a treatment plan completed chairside by a specialist in paediatric dentistry. The platform will enable specialists to view the image and routine radiographs taken at this appointment, then document their treatment plan. For each tooth, SPDs can select one of five options: • No treatment required • Extract • Restore • Extract if deemed unrestorable following further examination under GA • Restore prior to GA if feasible Platform Development The custom-built platform has gone through feasibility testing with SPDs and the wider research team. It is secured by an SSL/TLS certificate, which encrypts the connection between the user and the platform. It complies with GDPR requirements. |
| Intervention type | Procedure/Surgery |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
|
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) | |
| Completion date | 30/06/2028 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | |
|---|---|
| Age group | Child |
| Lower age limit | 4 Years |
| Upper age limit | 16 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 20 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Children/young person aged 4-16 who are treatment planned for a DGA with radiographs (must have both BW and OPT) taken at the time of consultation 2. The child/young person lives with a parent/guardian who can consent, this adult needs to be present at the time of child recruitment |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Children who are not able to tolerate intra-oral photographs 2. Children in care who do not live with someone who can consent for them 3. Unable to gain translation services for participants spoken language |
| Date of first enrolment | 12/05/2026 |
| Date of final enrolment | 31/12/2026 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- England
Study participating centre
Prescot Street
Liverpool
L7 8XP
England
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protocol file | version 3 | 11/02/2026 | 11/06/2026 | No | No |
Additional files
- 49680_Protocol_v3_11Feb2026.pdf
- Protocol file
Editorial Notes
11/06/2026: Study's existence confirmed by Health Research Authority (HRA) (UK).
