Effects of Implicit Bias in Clinician Decision-making of Tooth Restorability

NCT07705477 — Not applicable, Completed, 125 participants, New York University

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Registry	NCT07705477
Status	Completed
Phase	Not applicable
Study type	Interventional; randomized, parallel, masking: none, other
Enrollment	125 (Actual)
Sponsor	New York University (Other)
Conditions	Implicit Bias, Treatment Decisions
Interventions	Black Patient race condition, White Patient race condition (Other)
Dates	start 2025-06-12, primary completion 2025-12-10, completion 2025-12-10, first posted 2026-07-15, last updated 2026-07-15
Locations	1 site in United States

-Summary

This study aims to determine the association between race and clinical decision-making for dental treatment planning. The investigators conducted cross-sectional survey on participants, who are randomized to one of two patient race conditions.

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+Detailed description

The study is a randomized cross-sectional survey which is marketed as an exploration of tooth restorability. The condition of randomization is patient race. Dentist participants are randomized to a patient (either Black or White race) and provided with a clinical vignette. The participants are asked to review the clinical vignette and provide their treatment recommendation. Then, they answer questions on dentist and patient demographics. Next, they complete two Implicit Association Tests related to race and dentistry. Finally, the participants are given a debrief of the true purpose of the study. The survey is completed in one sitting.

+Arms and interventions

Arm	Type	Interventions	Description
Black Patient race condition	Other	Other: Black Patient race condition
White Patient race condition	Other	Other: White Patient race condition

Black Patient race condition (Other): The participants who are randomized to this group will be assigned the Black patient.
White Patient race condition (Other): The participants who are randomized to this group will be assigned the White patient.

+Outcome measures

Primary outcomes

Treatment Decision [Day 1 (Day of survey start and completion)]: The participants answer a survey question asking if they would recommend a Root Canal Treatment or Tooth Extraction for the patient. The survey does not require a follow-up, so the outcome is measured when the participant completes the survey in one sitting.

Secondary outcomes

Implicit Association Test Score [Day 1 (Day of survey start and completion)]: The Implicit Association Test is a validated socio-cognitive test. The score ranges from -1 to 1. The survey does not require a follow-up, so the outcome is measured when the participant completes the survey in one sitting.

+Eligibility

Sex: All, ages: 18 Years to any

Inclusion Criteria:

* General dentist
* Actively in clinical practice in the United States

Exclusion Criteria:

* Other specialties of dentistry

+Locations (1)

Facility	City	Country	Status
New York University College of Dentistry	New York, New York	United States

+Publications

Patel N, Patel S, Cotti E, Bardini G, Mannocci F. Unconscious Racial Bias May Affect Dentists' Clinical Decisions on Tooth Restorability: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JDR Clin Trans Res. 2019 Jan;4(1):19-28. doi: 10.1177/2380084418812886. Epub 2018 Nov 16. PMID 30931761