An update on the Selective Caries Removal in Permanent Teeth Trial (SCRiPT)

The study is open and some participating dental practices have started participant recruitment. There has been considerable interest from dentists in the SCRiPT study question which compares two treatments for deep tooth decay in the teeth towards the back of the mouth (molars and pre molars) . The results of the SCRiPT study will help shape the future of dental care and hopefully ensure that our teeth last longer.

COVID 19 restrictions have not changed either of the two treatments being compared in the SCRiPT study.

We would like to thank all the dental practices that have contacted us to date for their engagement and enthusiasm for the SCRiPT study.

For further information or if you have any questions about SCRiPT please contact us via the study email address: script@dundee.ac.uk.

As at April 2022, we are inviting members of the public who have had treatment for severe toothache or recently had dental decay treatment to join a Patient and Public Involvement Group to share their experience and give their opinion on how we give information about SCRiPT and another study, PIP, to other patients. Please scroll down for further details or contact us at script@dundee.ac.uk

What is SCRiPT?

The SCRiPT study is testing two treatments for deep tooth decay. We know both treatments work. However, we don't know which treatment is best overall for patients and for the NHS. The NHS has funded this research project so we can collect information on a large group of people having both types of treatment. At the end of the study we will report which treatment is best.

Who gets tooth decay? Tooth decay is very common. Most teenagers and adults will have some decay in their back teeth. Treating tooth decay (dental caries) costs the NHS over £3.4 billion each year.

How is deep tooth decay usually treated? There are different ways of treating teeth with decay where the decay has spread deep into the tooth close to the nerve.

The most common way is to take away all of the decay before placing a filling in the tooth. This is known as "complete decay removal" or complete caries removal (CCR). When removing all the decay there is a small chance of serious damage to the nerve. Such damage makes root canal treatment or tooth loss (extraction) likely. Also drilling the tooth to remove all the decay can weaken the tooth so it is more likely to break and need further treatment.

Dentists want to compare the complete removal of decay with a new way that does not remove all of the decay. In the new way, the dentists select only some of the decay for removal and a filling is then put in to stop the decay from getting worse. This is known as "selective decay removal" or selective caries removal (SCR). There is no chance that the nerve will be damaged when only some of the decay is taken out. If only some of the decay is taken out it is possible that the tooth will still need more treatment later. There is research in children's teeth that supports this new way. However, there are gaps in our knowledge about selective decay removal in adult teeth.

What is the aim of the SCRiPT study? The SCRiPT study will test "selective decay removal" compared to "complete decay removal" to find out if follow-up treatment was needed, the costs of this follow-up, the pain experienced by the patients and the impact on their lives.

Who can take part in the study? People over 12 years old can take part if they have teeth that have deep decay which can be treated with a filling, and if this treatment would normally be done on the NHS.

What does taking part in the study involve? People taking part will be given one of the two treatments for their deep caries – either selective decay removal or complete decay removal. A computer will allocate which treatment they get but they will always get a filling. They will be followed up as normal by their dentists. Information about their teeth and their routine follow-up visits to their dentist will be collected. People taking part will also be asked to fill out a questionnaire about their health and their teeth when they start the study and again 1, 2, and 3 years afterwards.

Where can I find out more? Please download the patient information leaflet on this website which gives more information about what taking part would involve. You can find out if your dentist is taking part by checking out the "Where can I take part" section below which will be regularly updated.

Who is running the study? The study is run by a team of experts in running dental research, led by Prof Jan Clarkson from the University of Dundee. Researchers from the University of Aberdeen and University of Sheffield are also involved. We also have patients and the public in our research teams to help us make sure that the important views of patients are included. The study is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (Health Technology Assessment project reference 17/127/07)

Can I take part?

You might be able to take part if you fit these criteria and if your dental practice is participating in the study. Please see the ‘Where can I take part?’ section of this website for details of dental practices currently involved with the study.

1. You are 12 years or older
2. You have one or more adult teeth with deep decay which needs a filling
3. You are registered as an NHS patient at your dentist
4. Your dentist is taking part in the study

Your usual dentist will check whether you can take part and you will receive your treatment at your usual dentist.

If you are interested in taking part, or have any questions

PPI (Patient & Public Involvement) in Dental Clinical Research, We Need You!!!

As at April 2022, we are inviting members of the public who have had treatment for severe toothache or recently had dental decay treatment to join a Patient and Public Involvement Group to share their experience and give their opinion on how we give information about SCRiPT and another study, PIP, to other patients. Please click here. for further details or contact us at script@dundee.ac.uk

Montrose Dental Care

Key people:

Investigator:

Mrs Lorraine Arnot

Address:

53 John Street
Montrose
DD10 8LZ

Castle Street Dental

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Gillian Grant

Address:

92 Castle Street
Forfar
DD8 3AA

Barnhill Dental Practice

Key people:

Investigator:

Ms Cathy Sinclair

Address:

56 Torridon Road
Dundee
Tayside
DD5 3HB

Kingsway Dental Practice

Key people:

Investigator:

Dr Purvi Patel

Address:

143 Kingsway East
Dundee
Tayside
DD4 8BX

The Health Centre

Key people:

Investigator:

Ms Niki Kitsiou

Address:

The Health Centre
Gotham Road
East Leake
LE12 6JG

Harpers Dental Practice

Key people:

Investigator:

Mr David Harper

Address:

32 Bradford Street
The Haulgh
Bolton
BL2 1JJ

Corringham Dental Practice

Key people:

Investigator:

Ms Jackie Jameson-Savill

Address:

83 Lampits Hill
Corringham
SS17 9AB

Main Street Dental Care

Key people:

Investigator:

Mr Hari Lal

Address:

45A Main Street
Thornliebank
Glasgow
G46 7SF

Allander Dental Care

Key people:

Investigator:

Mr Stuart Fullerton

Address:

7 Stewart Street
Milngavie
Glasgow
G62 6BW

Shields Road Dental Practice

Key people:

Investigator:

Ms Julia Walker

Address:

Shields Road Dental Practice
413 Shields Road
Glasgow
G41 1NY

Hafren House Dental Practice

Key people:

Investigator:

Mr Bhupinder Dawett

Address:

1 Cressy Road
Alfreton
Derbyshire
DE55 7BR

Long & Gilmour Dental Surgery

Key people:

Investigator:

Mr Oisin Quinn

Address:

Long & Gilmour Dental Surgery
83-93 North Street
Bo'ness
Falkirk
EH51 9ND

Dental Surgery

Key people:

Investigator:

Mr Philip Wee

Address:

PCK Wee Dental
102a Cricklewood Broadway
Cricklewood
London
NW2 3EJ

Barrow Street Dental Practice

Key people:

Investigator:

Mr Peter Martin

Address:

20 Barrow Street
St Helens
WA10 1RX

Broad Walk Dental Practice

Key people:

Investigator:

Mr Duncan Hannah

Address:

3 Grosvenor Mansions
Broadwalk
Buxton
SK17 6JH

Dental Surgery

Key people:

Investigator:

Mr Nick Harker

Address:

1 Hothfield Street
Silsden
Keighley
BD20 0PP

Horbury Dental Care

Key people:

Investigator:

Ms Harriet Willings

Address:

Vincent House Queen Street
Horbury
Wakefield
WF4 6LP

Inverurie Dental Practice

Key people:

Investigator:

Ms Emma Weir

Address:

13 High Street
Inverurie
AB15 9DZ

Connaught House Dental Practice

Key people:

Investigator:

Ms Beata Wiechowicz

Address:

369 Eastwood Rd
Rayleigh
Essex
SS6 7LJ

Shettleston Smile Dental Surgery

Key people:

Investigator:

Mr James Beattie

Address:

948-950 Shettleston Road
Glasgow
G32 7XW

Shiremoor Dental Practice

Key people:

Investigator:

Mr Melbourne Carew

Address:

1 Lesbury Avenue
Shiremoor
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE27 0NL

The Poplars Dental Practice

Key people:

Investigator:

Ms Maxine Fairclough

Address:

43 Rodley Lane
Rodley
Leeds
LS13 1LT

{my}dentist, Redditch

Key people:

Investigator:

Ms Imogen Addison

Address:

107 Archer Road
Redditch
B98 8DJ

{my}dentist, Cambridge 2

Key people:

Investigator:

Ms Raquel Azevedo e Silva

Address:

13-13a Victoria Avenue
Cambridge
Cambridgeshire
CB4 1EG

Outwood Dental Care

Key people:

Investigator:

Ms Victoria Stevens

Address:

569 Leeds Road
Wakefield
WF1 2JL

Smile Dental Centre

Key people:

Investigator:

Mr Sunny Sareen

Address:

438 Whitmore Way
Basildon
Essex
SS14 2EZ

The Smile Clinic

Key people:

Investigator:

Ms Marina George

Address:

2, Deepdale Pavilions
Osbourne Way
Preston
PR1 6PZ

London Road Dental Centre

Key people:

Investigator:

Ms Smita Donde

Address:

227 London Road
Croydon
CR0 2RL

Causeway Dental Practice

Key people:

Investigator:

Mr Laurie Powell

Address:

23 Causeway
Bicester
Oxon
OX26 6AN

Montgomery Street Dental Care

Key people:

Investigator:

Mr Alex Coakley

Address:

96 Montgomery Street
Edinburgh
EH7 5HE

Alloway Place Dental Care

Key people:

Investigator:

Mr Ed Coote

Address:

1 Alloway Place
Ayr
KA7 2AA

Cromwell Dental Practice

Key people:

Investigator:

Mr Narinder Kondel

Address:

1 Cromwell Rd
Walton-on-Thames
Surrey
KT12 3NL

{my}dentist, Plaistow Rd, London

Key people:

Investigator:

Mr Tej Kumar Kundra

Address:

119 Plaistow Road
London
E15 3ET

SNS Dental Practice

Key people:

Investigator:

Mr Showkat Bhat

Address:

4-5 Dollary Parade
Kingston Road
Kingston
KT1 3NX

Desborough Road (Dental Surgery)

Key people:

Investigator:

Ms Neeru Majumdar

Address:

264 Desborough Road
High Wycombe
Bucks
HP11 2QR

Nice Smile Dental Practice

Key people:

Investigator:

Ms Asma Khan

Address:

105 Stroud Green Road
Stroud Green
London
N4 3PX

Sloan Dental Bishopton

Key people:

Investigator:

Ms Jaclyn Gilliland

Address:

105 Greenock Road
Bishopton
Refrewshire
PA7 5AX

Grand Avenue Dental Practice

Key people:

Investigator:

Mr Amit Mehta

Address:

104 Grand Avenue
Worthing
West Sussex
BN11 5BH

Horizon Dental Clinic, Blyth

Key people:

Investigator:

Ms Fiona Hazell

Address:

58 Beaconsfield Street
Blyth
Northumberland
NE24 2DS

Dental Clinic

Key people:

Investigator:

Mr Iain McKinnon

Address:

Liniclate
Isle of Benbecula
HS7 5PJ

Surgery @102 Dental Practice

Key people:

Investigator:

Ms Mahejabin Malik

Address:

102 Ealing Road
Wembley
Middlesex
HA0 4TH

TW13 Dental

Key people:

Investigator:

Mr Neel Panchal

Address:

160a Twickenham Road
Hanworth
Middlesex
TW13 6HD

Canada Water Dental Health

Key people:

Investigator:

Usman Waheed

Address:

Unit B, Toronto House
Surrey Quays Road
LONDON
SE16 7AJ

Westminster House Dental Practice

Key people:

Investigator:

Ms Payal Shah

Address:

11-13 Horseferry Road
Westminster
London
SW1P 2AH

Inchvannie House Dental Practice

Key people:

Investigator:

Ms Dally Raghavan

Address:

Inchvannie Court
Dingwall
IV15 9SE

Peel Glen Dental Care

Key people:

Investigator:

Ms Gillian Murphy

Address:

Peel Glen Dental Care
14 Peel Glen Road
Glasgow
G15 7XL

Silver & Charlton Dental

Key people:

Investigator:

Ms Basma Al Tahan

Address:

Silver & Charlton Dental
50 John Street
Sunderland
SR1 1QH

Horizon Dental Clinic, Monkseaton

Key people:

Investigator:

Ms Fiona Hazell

Address:

Horizon Dental Clinic
2A Kenilworth Road
Monkseaton
Whitley Bay
NE25 8BE

Huntly Dental Practice

Key people:

Investigator:

Ms Sarah Azeem

Address:

Huntly Dental Practice
41 Duke Street
Huntly
AB54 8DT

Precious Dental Care

Key people:

Investigator:

Ms Lynn Mei Woo

Address:

Precious Dental Care
20 Gledhow Avenue
Roundhay
Leeds
LS8 1NU

Study news

Recruitment

427/623

Trial sites

Latest addition to sites:

                        Oops
                    
                                    Precious Dental Care
                                
                                    Huntly Dental Practice
                                
                                    Horizon Dental Clinic, Monkseaton
                                
                                    Silver & Charlton Dental
                                
                        Oops

Key facts about the study and documents

What is this study about?

You can read our patient information leaflet about the study. Please click SHOW MORE below and download the patient information leaflet.

You can find out more information about SCRiPT here:

Download documents:

PIPSCRiPTPPIGroup-Advert29.03.2022 (v2)

Patient Information Leaflet (v4)

Key contacts

Click on cards to find out more

Key questions & answers

Click on questions to find out more

I am a dentist – how do I join the study?

Please contact script@dundee.ac.uk in the first instance to register your interest and the team will be in touch to discuss your options.

Organisation

Funding acknowledgement

This study/project is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme (project reference 17/127/07). The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.

Tell us what do you think about our website?

WELCOME TO THE SCRiPT STUDY

Selective Caries Removal in Permanent Teeth

An update on the Selective Caries Removal in Permanent Teeth Trial (SCRiPT)

What is SCRiPT?

Can I take part?

If you are interested in taking part, or have any questions

PPI (Patient & Public Involvement) in Dental Clinical Research, We Need You!!!

Where can I take part?

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