Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is required of participants?
- One 10-minute, in-person questionnaire. Researchers will conduct the questionnaire at the participant’s home (or other location that is convenient for the participant).
- Donation of at least one shed baby tooth from the child who was in utero while his/her mother was a resident of Holliston, Massachusetts.
Is my child required to participate?
- Your child does not need to be present during the questionnaire.
- We only ask for you to donate a naturally shed baby tooth from your child.
How do I know if I am eligible to participate?
You are eligible for the study if you:
- Are a mother of a child who has lost or is losing their baby teeth
- Are a current resident of Holliston, MA
- Were a resident of Holliston, MA during your pregnancy with the child whose baby tooth is being donated
- Are willing to donate at least one shed baby tooth from your child
When will the study take place?
- ACHIEVE researchers will reach out to you and find a time that works. We hope to collect teeth and administer questionnaires beginning in fall 2017.
What types of questions will be asked during the 10-minute questionnaire?
- The 10-minute questionnaire will ask questions about:
- Your current water source, treatment and consumption habits
- Your previous water source, treatment and consumption during your pregnancy
- Your child’s drinking water consumption during their first year of life
- Your child and his/her health
How do I know my personal information will remain secure and confidential?
- The information that you provide will be stored in a manner that will only be accessible to a few researchers. Your data will be identified by an id number, not by your name, and will be stored in computer files protected by a password known only to staff working on ACHIEVE. Analyses will be conducted using coded data without any names or other personal identifiers.
What information will I get back if I participate in the study?
- After all teeth have been collected and analyzed for contaminants, we will issue a report that shows the amount of contaminants in teeth at a group level, which will include all samples we collect.
- You will not receive specific information on your child or your child’s tooth.
Why should I participate in this study?
- You will be a part of an innovative science study of children’s environmental exposures. The information you provide and your child’s shed baby tooth that you donate will help us better understand which factors influence in utero exposure to contaminants in the town of Holliston, MA.