Association of Oral Health Literacy and Dental Visitation in an Inner-City Emergency Department Population

Abstract

To examine the association between oral health literacy (OHL) with sociodemographic variables and dental visitation in adults presenting to an urban emergency department (ED). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of a convenience sample of 556 adults aged 18–90. Interview data from the study were used to collect self-reported sociodemographic characteristics and dental visitation history. The OHL of the study participants was measured using the Health Literacy in Dentistry scale (HeLD-14), and the score was dichotomized into low and high OHL. Bivariate associations between sociodemographic variables and OHL were conducted using chi-square tests, and logistic regression was used to examine the association between OHL and dental visitation within the past year. Results: Sixty percent of participants reported having visited a dentist within the past year. Over two-thirds of the sample was classified as having low OHL. Low OHL was more common in non-White races, less-educated, single, unemployed, and lower-income individuals, and those without a primary care physician or dental insurance (p < 0.05). Patients with low oral health literacy were 39% less likely to have visited the dentist in the past year (OR = 0.61; 95% CI 0.38, 0.96). Conclusions: This study highlights significant disparities in OHL. Interventions targeted toward the unique needs of underserved populations should be developed to improve health outcomes.

Oral Health Literacy and Outcomes in Rural Wisconsin Adults

“…Our findings indicate that OHL was generally high in this sample, with OHL‐AQ scores averaging about 40% higher than previous observations of urban adults in Iran and 10% higher than school teachers in India . As previously shown, and consistent with the Sorensen and colleagues conceptual model of health literacy, OHL levels tracked closely with markers of socioeconomic status, being significantly lower in racial/ethnic minorities and participants with lower education and income. Having current dental insurance was not correlated with OHL.…”

Hospital Utilization for Non-Traumatic Dental Conditions in Oregon from 2013 to 2015

“…These issues can be heightened in many states given the uneven distribution or complete lack of public oral health benefits, poor oral health literacy, and lack of affordable dental care (10)(11). Often, patients with immediate or significant needs are forced to seek care from alternative settings not positioned or equipped to provide that care, such as EDs (12)(13).…”

Development and Application of a Multidimensional&nbsp;Oral Health Scale

“…Most previous studies on oral health are cross-sectional studies [27] . Oral health education in colleges and universities generally consists of single lectures, which do not fully meet the unique health needs of the population and are not su ciently attractive to students [28] . Moreover, there is no follow-up intervention, so the expected effect cannot be achieved.…”