BEhavioral EConomics for Oral Health iNnovation Pilot Trial

Influence of Financial Incentives on Oral Disease Management in Young Children: A Randomized Pilot Trial

This Phase I randomized pilot trial will assess the efficacy of a fixed incentive payment program and drawing incentive payment program versus a control program to promote early childhood caries (ECC) preventive health behaviors (i.e., toothbrushing performance and dental visit attendance) for young children of predominantly Latino parents/caregivers enrolled in/waitlisted for Early Head Start (EHS) home visit programs.

If both groups are acceptable and feasible, the reward group with toothbrushing outcomes at least 20% better than the other one (and the control) will be chosen for a future Phase II/III trial; if they are similar, the fixed monetary reward will be used because it is simpler to explain, monitor, and implement.

Inclusion Criteria for Parent/Caregiver:

• Provide signed and dated informed consent form in English or Spanish.
• Agree to comply with all study procedures and be available for the duration of the study visit.
• Male or female, aged 18 and older.
• Speak, read, and write either English or Spanish.
• Be a parent or caregiver of a child at least 6 months old but less than 3.5 years (42 months), with at least 2 fully erupted teeth and enrolled in, or waitlisted for, one of the three participating Los Angeles County EHS home visit programs.
• Not be planning to move residence for the next 6 months outside the greater Los Angeles area.
• Own a smartphone with the Google Play or iTunes store and be willing to download the smart powered TB app
• Be willing to be contacted via text-messaging (SMS) for study related notifications, such as incentives earned or reminders to sync the TB

Exclusion Criteria:

• Known allergic reaction to components of the study product(s).
• Uncooperative or behaviorally unsuited (assessed during a TB prophylaxis at the initial baseline study visit).
• A sibling of a child already enrolled in the study (the family's oldest child in the eligible age range will be the study child).
• Enrolled in foster care.
• Anything else that would place him/her at increased health risk or preclude the individual's full compliance with or completion of the study.