Do Parents’ Oral Health Literacy Levels Influence Their Response to Interventions to Improve Their Knowledge of Traumatic Dental Injuries?

Abstract

To measure the influence of oral health literacy (OHL) level in the improvement of knowledge about traumatic dental injuries (TDI) after an educational intervention. Material and Methods: A total of 257 parents of children aged 0-12 years had their OHL level evaluated (BREALD-30). A leaflet with information about how to respond to TDI Emergency was developed and delivered to the parents. A questionnaire about attitudes towards TDI was administered before (TDIQ1) and after (TDIQ2) parents read the educational leaflet. The hypotheses were evaluated by non-parametric tests, correlation analysis and logistic regression. Results: The mean OHL score was 21.6. The means of correct answers in TDIQ1 were 5.5 and 5.9 (p = 0.066) and in TDIQ2 were 6.6 and 7.7 (p=0.003) between the groups with inadequate and marginal/adequate OHL, respectively. In the logistic regression, the total score of BREALD-30 and the maximum number of correct answers in TDIQ2 maintained statistical association when adjusted for schooling, gender, age of the parents, family income and the number of correct answers in the first application of the questionnaire. Conclusion: The level of OHL influenced the improvement of parents' knowledge about emergency care in cases of TDI in children from an educational intervention using a leaflet, and this intervention was more effective for parents with adequate OHL.

The influence of different dimensions of oral health literacy on parental attitudes and comprehension of an information leaflet about permanent tooth avulsion

“…15 In this study, higher BREALD-30 scores were associated with a higher number of correct answers even after controlling for socio-economic and demographic factors. 15 Other studies found that higher levels of parental OHL were associated with better nonclinical outcomes, such as behavior and knowledge regarding night time bottle feeding, the use of fluoride, 23 sugar intake and dental hygiene habits in children. for children demonstrated that individuals with higher OHL levels evaluated using the BREALD-30 were more likely to retain the information 4 weeks after the intervention compared with those with low OHL.…”

“…The results of this study revealed that participants with high OHL reported a better comprehension of the information contained on the IL and felt more capable of executing the tasks proposed in the leaflet compared with those with lower OHL. To the best of the authors' knowledge, only one previous study, which had a cross‐sectional design, has evaluated the effect of parental OHL level using the BREALD‐30 on knowledge regarding the management of traumatic dental injuries immediately after the reading of an information leaflet 15 . In this study, higher BREALD‐30 scores were associated with a higher number of correct answers even after controlling for socio‐economic and demographic factors 15 .…”

“…To the best of the authors' knowledge, only one previous study, which had a cross‐sectional design, has evaluated the effect of parental OHL level using the BREALD‐30 on knowledge regarding the management of traumatic dental injuries immediately after the reading of an information leaflet 15 . In this study, higher BREALD‐30 scores were associated with a higher number of correct answers even after controlling for socio‐economic and demographic factors 15 . Other studies found that higher levels of parental OHL were associated with better non‐clinical outcomes, such as behavior and knowledge regarding night time bottle feeding, the use of fluoride, 23 sugar intake and dental hygiene habits in children 24…”

“…14 A study conducted with Brazilian parents/caregivers evaluated the influence of OHL on attitudes toward traumatic dental injuries in the primary and permanent dentitions after the reading of an IL and found a better result among those with higher levels of OHL. 15 However, the study was conducted on a single occasion. Thus, there is a need for longitudinal studies that assess the retention of such knowledge in the long term.…”

“…The total knowledge score of the participants regarding proper management in the case of an avulsed primary tooth and a permanent tooth increased after reading the leaflet 14 . A study conducted with Brazilian parents/caregivers evaluated the influence of OHL on attitudes toward traumatic dental injuries in the primary and permanent dentitions after the reading of an IL and found a better result among those with higher levels of OHL 15 . However, the study was conducted on a single occasion.…”