Explaining the concept of oral health literacy: Findings from an exploratory study

Abstract

Objectives Identifying those with inadequate oral health literacy is difficult because little is known about its various multiple dimensions. Accordingly, the present research investigated dimensions of the concept using a qualitative approach. Method Participants (n = 15) who met inclusion criteria (Including having expertise in the fields of general dental, social dental, and health education and health promotion and having at least 5 years of relevant working experience) were recruited by purposive sampling via the public health and dentistry faculty in Tehran between December 2018 and October 2019. Thematic analysis was used to assess the data. Results A total of 15 specialists (ranging in age from 28 to 61, mean 44) were included in the study. Their working experience averaged 15.5 years (SD = 7.7, Min = 6, Max = 30). Independent analysis of qualitative data by three researchers led to identification of seven themes and 18 sub‐categories, including need perception (feeling the need and paying attention to meeting the need), emotional literacy (valuation of oral health, formation of personality and taking care of oral health), planning literacy (planning and goal‐orientation), communicative literacy (choice in decision‐making, interpersonal communication skill and claiming), behavioural literacy (self‐care), cognitive literacy (knowledge, information comprehension, information use, and information analysis) and media literacy (the ability to use up‐to‐date technologies, the ability to search for and acquire the information, and judgment). Conclusions Our findings provide insights into the dimensions of oral health literacy. It is hoped that these findings can be used to guide the development of interventions on OHL and that aspects of the concept can help to enhance levels of OHL and help to promote health at societal level.

Hospital health literacy conceptual explanation: A qualitative content analysis based on experts and population perspectives

“…While Ghaffari et al . [ 53 ] considered attitudes and emotions as the independent dimensions of health literacy. The schematic model of the concept of HHL is presented in Figure 1 .…”

Is oral health literacy associated with conceptions of care and behavior related to the prevention of COVID-19?

“…[7][8][9] As medical and dental systems share some similarities, the concept of health literacy can be adapted to dentistry, which is known as oral health literacy (OHL). 10 Although the literature is consistent regarding the association between health literacy and medical outcomes, no studies have yet investigated the association between OHL and the adoption of individual coronavirus control measures. As oral health is an integral part of general health and well-being, oral health literacy research should include health-related actions and decisions that occur in other contexts.…”

Reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Oral Health Literacy Assessment Task: Pathways between parental oral health literacy and oral health consequences in children

“…Oral health literacy (OHL) is a determinant of oral health behavior and status 1–3 . It is defined as an individual's capacity to learn, understand, and evaluate basic oral health information and services needed to make sound health decisions 3 .…”

“…Oral health literacy (OHL) is a determinant of oral health behavior and status 1–3 . It is defined as an individual's capacity to learn, understand, and evaluate basic oral health information and services needed to make sound health decisions 3 . OHL also incorporates the ability to grasp the causes of poor or good oral health, adopt appropriate oral health behaviors, and communicate effectively with dentists 2 …”

“…[1][2][3] It is defined as an individual's capacity to learn, understand, and evaluate basic oral health information and services needed to make sound health decisions. 3 OHL also incorporates the ability to grasp the causes of poor or good oral health, adopt appropriate oral health behaviors, and communicate effectively with dentists. 2 Parental sociodemographic characteristics, which include education level, health insurance status, and income level, and parental oral health behaviors, which include the frequency of toothbrushing and attending dental visits, the length of time since the last dental visit, negative dental experiences, and training about oral hygiene, have direct and indirect effects on their children's oral health behaviors and oral health status.…”