Evaluating an early childhood caries prevention strategy: a study protocol for a stepped-wedge cluster randomised controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Caries risk assessment and management (CRAM) conducted by primary care providers is critical for preventing early childhood caries. Yet, the implementation of these preventive strategies remains understudied in low- and middle-income countries. This study aims to evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of a CRAM intervention in Chinese primary care settings.

Methods and analysis

We will conduct a hybrid type II stepped-wedge cluster randomised controlled trial across nine primary healthcare institutions in Luzhou City, China. Institutions will be randomly allocated into three intervention waves. Primary care providers will be trained to deliver CRAM. The two primary outcomes are (1) the proportion of primary care providers completing all CRAM procedures an

SUBMITTER: Cao P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12320031 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature