Brazilian immigrants’ oral health literacy and participation in oral health care in Canada

This study aimed to explore the level of perceived oral health literacy (OHL) among caregivers of the homebound population in the Chicago metropolitan area and how caregivers’ OHL impacts their oral care to the homebound population. The relationships between demographic characteristics, perceived OHL levels, personal oral health behaviors, and oral health care to clients were also assessed. This cross-sectional survey research examined 69 caregivers of the homebound population employed by home health agencies. The OHL was determined by the validated Health Literacy in Dentistry Scale (HeLD-14). Independent t-tests, chi-square tests set at p < .05 significance level, and logistic regressions were used for analysis. The mean age of participants was 43. The HeLD-14 scores indicated a high perceived OHL among this group. Caregivers came from diverse groups, and the majority spoke a second language at home. About 93% performed oral self-care the recommended amount of time or more, while only 57% did it for their clients. Those who cleaned clients’ mouth twice a day had a higher OHL score ( M = 23 compared to M = 19). About 43% did not check for sores in the client’s mouth, and those who checked had a higher OHL score ( M = 25 compared to M = 19). Controlling for OHL, age was a good predictor of oral care frequency to clients. These findings provide current evidence and add to the body of knowledge on OHL among homebound individuals. The results provide insights for designing a preventive approach in oral health care to the homebound population.

Download Full-text

Programs and Policies Targeted to Improve Access to Dental Care for Low Income Adults and Children in the US: An Integrative Literature Review

Journal of Dentistry & Oral Disorders ◽

10.26420/jdentoraldisord.2021.1166 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Davis AL ◽

◽

Zare H ◽

Kanwar O ◽

McCleary R ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Oral Health ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Literature Review ◽

Low Income ◽

Dental Care ◽

Oral Health Care ◽

Oral Health Literacy ◽

The Us ◽

Access To Dental Care

Objective: The authors conducted an integrative literature review of recent studies that explored the impact of interventions implemented in the U.S. that focused on improving access to dental care for low-income and vulnerable populations. Methods: The authors conducted an integrative literature review of studies published between 2012-2018 that addressed six oral health policy spheres. 1) Community-based dental access programs; (2) Medicaid reimbursement and expansion; (3) Student loan support; (4) Oral health services in non-traditional settings and dental residency programs; (5) Programs to improve oral health literacy; and (6) Use of dental therapists. Results: The authors included 39 articles for qualitative synthesis. Numerous public health initiatives and programs exist in the US aimed at increasing access to quality oral health care. Medicaid expansion, increased Medicaid fee-for-service reimbursement rates, and state loan repayment programs have demonstrated some success in improving access among underserved populations. A diversified dental workforce, with community dental health workers and mid-level providers like dental therapists, as well as interprofessional training of nurses and primary-care physicians in oral health have also shown positive impacts in advancing health equity. Further studies are needed to understand how oral health literacy programs can affect access and utilization of dental services. Conclusions: Improvements to the oral health care safety net will require a holistic and multifaceted approach in order to reduce oral health disparities. Policy levers should work, not in isolation, but rather in complementary fashion to one another.

Download Full-text

Factors Associated with Health Literacy, Self-Efficacy, Social Support, and Oral Health Care Behaviors Among Elderly in Northern Border Community Thailand

Clinical Interventions in Aging ◽

10.2147/cia.s320900 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol Volume 16 ◽

pp. 1427-1437

Author(s):

Pattaraporn Khamrin ◽

Sorawit Boonyathee ◽

Sasivimol Bootsikeaw ◽

Parichat Ong-Artborirak ◽

Katekaew Seangpraw

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Health Care ◽

Oral Health ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Oral Health Care ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Border Community ◽

Northern Border

Download Full-text

Development and Application of a Multidimensional Oral Health Scale

10.21203/rs.3.rs-60044/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Yi-Chen Chiang ◽

Shengnan Lin ◽

Meijie Chu ◽

An Li ◽

Xinlan Cai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Oral Health ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Large Scale ◽

Low Cost ◽

Descriptive Analysis ◽

Reliability And Validity ◽

Validity And Reliability ◽

Oral Health Literacy ◽

Dental Floss

Abstract Background: Based on existing measuring tools, we sought to develop a multidimensional oral health scale suitable for domestic use and evaluate its reliability and validity. The scale was applied to conduct an initial investigation of the oral health of college students. It is expected that groups with a high oral health risk can be identified early through large-scale and low-cost questionnaire screening in the future, which can also provide ideas for the development of relevant clinical research. Methods: The current questionnaire focuses on oral health and health care behaviors. It is multidimensional and incorporates concepts such as oral health literacy. Freshmen from two different university colleges were selected as the research objects, and the questionnaire was distributed electronically. LISREL 8.80 and SPSS 21.0 were used to analyze the validity and reliability of the oral healthy literacy scale, and descriptive analysis was also performed using SPSS 21.0. Results: The scores of the two scales of oral health literacy were at medium and high levels. The Cronbach's alpha values were 0.96 and 0.95, and both the GFI and AGFI reached 1. The percentages of people who did not brush their teeth or use dental floss were 78.8% and 79.3%, respectively. Only 16.2% knew that the Bass Method was the most important technique to ensure oral health, and only 15.1% knew that regular dental cleaning every six months could also ensure oral health.Conclusions: At present, college freshmen have not developed correct oral health care behaviors. Dental cleaning should be included in medical insurance reimbursement to encourage people to receive regular oral examinations and dental cleanings.

Download Full-text

The role of communication and oral health literacy in prevention and promotion of oral health

Archives of Public Health ◽

10.3889/aph.2020.4372 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 49-57

Author(s):

Lidushka Vasileska ◽

Elena Kosevska ◽

Tanja Lekovska Stoicovska ◽

Vjosa Rechica

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Medical Education ◽

Oral Health ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Patient Population ◽

Effective Communication ◽

Well Being ◽

Oral Health Literacy ◽

Health And Well Being

Dental care prevention involves prophylactic oral health practices and strategies that are primarily targeted to diseases of the oral tissues with the focus on prevention of certain conditions. Not enough attention has been given to the communication between the dentist and the patient as well as the ability or the inability to understand patient's health information. The aim of this paper is to present the current practices and regulations related to the effective communication between oral healthcare professionals and patient population, and their representation and influence in improving and raising the profile of the oral health on a national level. Materials and method:A systematic literature search was conducted including published scientific articles between 1977 and 2018. Studies discussing the improvement of oral health in the function of general health and well-being in the patient population of all ages were analyzed. The main focus was put on the commitment of the oral health community in the global agenda and the importance of integrating multifactorial approaches to prevention. Particular attention was paid to the representation of the skills for effective communication between health care professionals and patient population, and the medical education (health education), which should result in the individual's health literacy. Results: During the global struggle to improve the oral health, efforts are being made to enhance current practices and share knowledge about preventive care and treatment in oral health science and education in order to ensure the general health and well-being of the patient population of all ages. Unfortunately, the commitment to take action in raising effective communication and oral health literacy is minimal. Conclusion: Improving the communication between the oral health care professionals and the patient population in the direction of an interactive, dynamic and flexible process, as well as raising the level of oral health literacy among the population through targeted and carefully developed medical education should be the first step in any preventive program for raising the level of oral health.

Download Full-text