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The Center for Pediatric Dentistry

Frequently asked questions

The Center for Pediatric Dentistry’s Research Team develops patient-oriented research initiatives from inception to implementation. The mission of the Research Team is to serve our partners – the University of Washington School of Dentistry, Seattle Children’s hospital and Washington Dental Service – in innovative research initiatives in oral health disparities, early childhood caries, prevention and dental therapeutics.

The Research Team serves the profession, and the public, with novel approaches in clinical and public health research. The team also works closely with other health care organizations in the Pacific Northwest.

  1. What types of research (or clinical) studies are conducted at The Center for Pediatric Dentistry? The Center participates in survey-type, behavioral and new product, technique and diagnostic studies. All studies take place at The Center.
  2. Why should I enroll my child in a study? Families participate in clinical research studies because:
    (a) The results may provide information that will help improve dental health for children everywhere.
    (b) Children will become more involved in their own dental health
    (c) In many studies, patient families will receive compensation for their time and contributions.
  3. Are dental research studies safe? Yes. The Center protects each participant’s health, rights and privacy. A study coordinator oversees every step of the study and is available to answer questions throughout your family’s involvement. All human subjects research carried out at The Center or under its auspices must be reviewed by the University of Washington Institutional Review Board (a federally mandated ethics review board).Research presentations and publications are written without the participant’s names or initials. Photographs are used only with the permission of the participant’s legal guardian.
  4. What are the risks? We do not foresee any risks in our studies. The studies meet all safety standards required by federal and university agencies. With each study, possible risks are explained in the Legal Permission and HIPAA forms.
  5. How long do studies generally last? Each study is unique. Information for a study may be collected at the time of your child’s appointment or it may be necessary to ask you to stay after the appointment in order for us to obtain additional information. When a study asks for a follow-up, we will try to take care of this during your child’s six-month appointment. For research subjects who are not patients, follow-up will be arranged at a time that is convenient for the family.
  6. Who funds these studies? Studies are funded by industry, private organizations and federal agencies.
  7. Who conducts the studies? Studies are conducted by The Center’s Research Team and faculty members from the University of Washington School of Dentistry and Seattle Children’s Hospital.
  8. How do parents and caregivers enroll children? Legal guardians can enroll their children by contacting The Center or telling a staff member they’re interested during routine appointments. Children must meet all the specific study requirements. A parent/guardian must sign a legal permission form and a HIPAA privacy agreement form.
  9. What are some types of compensation? Compensation may include complimentary fillings and Target gift cards. Parents/caregivers may withdraw their child from a study at any time with no penalty.

View studies that are recruiting volunteers.

For more information contact the CPD Research Core at (206) 543-6695.