Co-Design and Development of the SmilesUp Text Messaging Intervention Using Behavioral Theory to Support Parents of Children With Early Childhood Caries: Mixed Methods Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Early childhood caries (ECC) remains a common childhood condition that affects 600 million children worldwide. Providing parents with support for oral health behavior change can address ECC risk factors and complement preventive clinical care. Mobile health (mHealth) text message programs that are co-designed and evaluated by parents and health professionals using behavior theory have been shown to be effective in improving oral health outcomes.

Objective

This study aimed to describe the co-design process, development, and content evaluation of a text message program designed to promote oral health behavior change among parents of children diagnosed with ECC using the Behavior Change Wheel (BCW) framework.

Methods

The SmilesUp mHealth program was co-designe

SUBMITTER: Chen R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12626244 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature