ASCEnD
The Mouth Matters in Mental Health Trial-2 is testing a new way of supporting people with mental health difficulties to access dental care.
The study is looking at whether support from a link worker, including help finding a dentist, attending appointments and overcoming practical barriers, can help people attend a dental appointment.
Who can take part?
We are looking for people who:
- are over 18 years old
- are receiving care from a Community Mental Health Team or Early Intervention in Psychosis Service
- have not attended a dentist in the past 3 years (apart from emergency visits)
- can provide informed consent
You cannot take part if you:
- are in another dental research trial
- are currently an inpatient on a mental health ward
- have immediate plans to harm themselves or others, or have attempted suicide in the past month
What does taking part involve?
First, you will do some questionnaires and interviews about your mental, physical, and oral health. (These take just over an hour.)
Then you will be randomly allocated to get either:
- your usual care, or
- support from a link worker who can help you
- find a dentist
- attend appointments
- understand dental information
- explore financial support if you are eligible for it
- provide practical support.
If you received the link-worker support, you may have up to six appointments. These are usually between 15–75 minutes long.
Nine months later, you'll complete a follow-up assessment. (This will take up to one hour.)
People receiving the link-worker support may also be invited to take part in one or two optional one-hour interviews about their experience. These can be done face-to-face, by telephone or by video call.
(You will be offered £25 for each research assessment, up to £50 in total, plus £25 for each 25 for each optional interview, and reimbursement of travel costs.)
Interested in taking part?
Email mouthmatters