Could a simple swab of povidone iodine stop childhood cavities?
NCT ID NCT07741409
First seen Aug 03, 2026 · Last updated Aug 04, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial tests whether swabbing toddlers' teeth with povidone iodine can prevent tooth decay and reduce cavity-causing mouth germs. Children aged 1 to 3 will have their teeth swabbed weekly for the first month and then monthly, with some also receiving a daily probiotic. The study compares these approaches against a placebo to see if the iodine reduces new cavities and changes the mouth's microbiome.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Povidone iodine 5% solution applied to teeth, with or without a probiotic supplement
- What this could lead to
- If effective, this could offer a simple, at-home way to reduce tooth decay in young children and lower the need for dental procedures.
- What could go wrong
- This is a phase 3 trial, but results may vary. The intervention requires consistent home application, and the probiotic's added benefit is uncertain. Povidone iodine may not be suitable for children with thyroid conditions.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 3
Large-scale testing in a bigger group. Usually the last step before a treatment can be approved.
- Participants
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About 174 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Aug 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Jun 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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1 year to 3 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria * 1 to 3 years of age * No plans to relocate in the next 12 months Exclusion Criteria * Thyroid condition * Antibiotic usage in the prior 3 months
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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University of Iowa College of Dentistry
Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, United States
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