Have you taken your child to the dentist for treatment?

Help researchers improve how families and dental professionals choose treatments for children in Wales.

Tooth decay is one of the most common health problems affecting children in Wales, often causing pain, missed school, and stress for families. While several treatment options are available — and often equally effective — families are not always supported to participate in making decisions about their child’s care. This project is developing a paper-based Patient Decision Aid (PDA), designed to be used during dental appointments to help families and dental professionals work together to choose the best treatment option for treating the tooth decay. The tool will include clear, evidence-based information and be available in both English and Welsh, with versions for children and parents.

What experience do I need to help?

• To be a parent or a caregiver of a child aged 3 to 12 years old
• To have made treatment decisions at the dentist (e.g. fillings, extractions, or other options for tooth decay)
• A willingness to share your experiences and ideas in a group setting
• An awareness of how dental care is provided to children in the NHS

What will I be asked to do?

• Help shape the research question and methods
• Review and comment on plain-language summaries and other documents
• Advise on plans for involving other families and sharing the research more widely
• Share feedback on what would make the project more relevant and accessible to families

This would be through the development stage and, if funded, into the full project.

How long will I be needed for?

You will be needed from June 2025 until a funding decision is expected, which is around September 2026. Researchers estimate your total time commitment would be 13–24 hours over that period.

This includes attending up to 8 meetings (around 1 hour each). These will be scheduled around key points in the development of the funding application, rather than on a fixed weekly or monthly basis and you will be given advanced notice. 

You will also need to review documents prior to meetings. 

What are some of the benefits for me?

Benefits to you:

•  A sense of contribution and influence, knowing your experiences are shaping research that directly affects families and dental care
• New skills and knowledge e.g. an understanding of research methods
• Opportunities for personal development, such as confidence-building
• Access to training and support
• Recognition for your time and input, and acknowledgment of your contributions
• Ongoing involvement, with the option to remain engaged if the project is funded

 What support is offered?

 Cover reasonable travel expenses and additional carer or childcare costs, 

• Offer payment for time of £25.00 per hour (people can request less if they are in receipt of state benefits).
• A named contact person will be appointed for ongoing support
• Pre-meeting support is also available if needed to go through documents or answer questions

Have a look at our guidelines for more information about this. 

If you are receiving any benefits, you can access confidential advice from the Benefits Advice Service for Involvement.  

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