Purpose Limited oral health literacy is associated with poor oral health status. This study aimed to determine the association between oral health literacy (OHL) and the number of remaining teeth (NRT) among Thailand’s older population. Patients and Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted between July 1, 2020 and September 30, 2020 at the Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospitals in Panare, Pattani, Thailand. A total of 361 independent-living older adults, male and female, participated in the study. OHL data were obtained using the Thai version of Health Literacy in Dentistry (HeLD‐Th) questionnaire. Trained interviewers performed face-to-face interviews for oral health-related behavior information. The NRT was collected through intraoral examination by a trained examiner. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22. Mann–Whitney U -tests, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression analysis were performed. A multivariate logistic regression model was developed to test associations between OHL and NRT and other potential covariates. All analyses were two-sided with a 95% confidence interval. Results There were significant associations between limited OHL and fewer than 20 remaining teeth (odds ratio [OR]=1.986, P = 0.018), older age (OR=1.743, P = 0.023), and lower educational levels (OR=2.365, P = 0.007). Conclusion The significance of this evidence is that OHL influences NRT among older Thai people who have lower education levels. Therefore, OHL intervention is an essential strategy for better oral health-related behaviors to reduce tooth loss and to improve the oral health status of Thai older adults.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the associations between oral health literacy and oral health behaviours among community-dwelling older adults in Thailand. MATERIAL & METHODS: This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the District Health Promoting Hospitals (DHPH), Panarae district, Pattani province, Thailand, between 1-30 June 2020. A total of 271 community-dwelling older adults participated in the study. The inclusion criteria were independent living elderly who were 60 years or over and had at least one remaining tooth. Those who had a communication problem, severe chronic diseases, or disabilities were excluded. Data were collected by questionnaire interviewing. Binary logistic regression was analyzed. RESULTS: In the final model of regression analyses, older age (OR = 1.810, p = 0.035), limited education levels (OR = 2.113, p = 0.027), and participants who had the frequency of tooth brushing less than two times per day (OR = 1.905, p = 0.047) were statistically significant predictors of lower oral health literacy levels. CONCLUSIONS: The findings confirmed the strong associations between OHL and age, education levels, including the frequency of toothbrushing in the participants. This evidence indicates that an appropriate education program about oral health promotion probably induce adequate oral health literacy among the older population.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between periodontitis and oral health literacy among the older population in Thailand. MATERIAL & METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed between July 1 and September 30, 2020, in Panare district, Pattani province, Thailand. The inclusion criteria were older individuals more than 60 years of age who had at least six remaining teeth. Information on sociodemographic characteristics and oral health-related behaviors were collected using a self-reported questionnaire. Oral health literacy was categorized using the Thai version of the Health Literacy in Dentistry scale (HeLD‐Th). A trained examiner performed clinical periodontal examinations. The data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test, Fisher's exact test, and binary logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 216 independently living older adults participated and completed the study protocol. The initial analyses indicated significant associations between severe periodontitis and low oral health literacy (p = 0.029) and insufficient toothbrushing duration (p < 0.001). However, in multivariate analysis, only toothbrushing duration showed significant association (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Oral health literacy interventions and oral hygiene practices for improving periodontal health status among the Thai older adults are necessary.