A systematic review-Assessing of the relationship between oral health literacy and dental anxiety among adult patients. (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Dental anxiety has been reported to be a common problem affecting widespread populations in different societies, hence a global public health concern. So far, there are few studies considering the development of dental anxiety and oral health literacy. OBJECTIVE Dental anxiety has been reported to be a common problem affecting widespread populations in different societies, hence a global public health concern. So far, there are few studies considering the development of dental anxiety and oral health literacy. METHODS This review of the literature used the PRISMA strategy for the review of articles. Articles collected and reviewed between June 2019 and March 2020. A sample determined according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the topic by using Google Scholar, PubMed, Medline via OVID, and Cochrane databases. Studies that have analyzed the effect of oral health literacy and dental anxiety. RESULTS Findings from the majority of the studies suggest that Lack of adequate dental health education may result in a high level of dental anxiety among adults population. On average health literacy levels were lower among particular groups (men, older adults, those in poverty, those who received publically funded insurance, those with lower levels of education and those who failed to finish high school). CONCLUSIONS definitive conclusions from the studies reviewed are not possible due to the differences in the study population, age characteristics considered, methods used and statistical tests performed. Further research is required to pay particular attention to younger patients and patients who report previous negative experiences associated with a dental consultation.