Oral health literacy, knowledge and perceptions in a socially and culturally diverse population: a mixed methods study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Poor oral health literacy has been proposed as a causal factor in disparities in oral health outcomes. This study aims to investigate oral health literacy (OHL) in a socially and culturally diverse population of Australian adults visiting a public dental clinic in Western Sydney.

Methods

A mixed methods study where oral health literacy was assessed using the Health Literacy in Dentistry scale (HeLD-14) questionnaire and semi-structured interviews explored oral health related knowledge, perceptions and attitudes. Interviews were analysed using a thematic approach.

Results

A sample of 48 participants attending a public dental clinic in Western Sydney was recruited, with a mean age of 59.9 (SD16.2) years, 48% female, 50% born in Australia, 45% with high school

SUBMITTER: King S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10375643 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature