Understanding Oral Diseases in Cystic Fibrosis to Develop Tailored Preventive Dental Interventions
Oral Diseases in CF
What is the goal of the study?
Individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) have chronic respiratory infections. Oral diseases such as tooth decay and gingivitis are potential sources of bacteria that could spread from the mouth to the lungs, further compromising respiratory health. The purpose of this multicenter study is to identify risk factors for oral diseases in adolescents and young adults with CF, evaluate associations between oral diseases and measures of respiratory health, and explore microbiome pathways that link oral and respiratory health. Participants will be enrolled for a period of 2 years and will have study visits at baseline/enrollment and approximately every 12 months in the CF Clinic and/or Pediatric Clinical Research Center. They will complete surveys related to dental health and lifestyle and will have a dental exam at enrollment and at Year 2 with collection of dental biosamples. Research sputum samples will be collected and clinical data from the electronic medical record will be entered into the study data base. Data and specimens will be archived for future research.
Who can participate in the study?
Please contact the study team listed below to learn more.