Oral health literacy, oral health behavior, and oral health status among dental patients and associated factors

BackgroundOral health plays an important role in overall health. Little is known about oral health literacy, oral health behavior, and oral health status in dental patients. PurposeThis study aimed to assess oral health literacy (OHL), oral health behavior, oral health status, and associated factors in dental patients. MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted between June,13, 2022 and July, 26, 2022 in a tertiary general hospital, in Hebei, China. A total of 184 patients participated in the study. OHL was assessed by the Chinese version of the Health Literacy Dental Scale (HeLD-14). Trained interviewers performed face-to-face interviews for oral health-related behavior information. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24. Mann-Whitney U-tests, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression analysis were performed. ResultsParticipants were 184 dental patients which consisted of 78.3% men and a mean age of 28.36 {+/-} 10.72 years old. The mean oral health literacy score was 43.07{+/-}9.920 (out of 56). There were significant associations between inadequate OHL and economic burden (odds ratio [OR]=2.636, P = 0.003), mouthwash (OR=2.433, P = 0.006), gum bleeding (OR=3.798, P = 0.030), and dental visiting (OR=1.885, P = 0.049). ConclusionThe oral health literacy of dental patients is at a medium level overall. Patients with inadequate OHL had a higher frequency of bleeding gums and less frequent dental visiting. Health care providers should consider improving oral health literacy among dental patients.