biostudies-literatureUnknown23(1)King S<h4>Background</h4>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.<h4>Methods</h4>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.<h4>Results</h4>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 schoolBMC public health1446https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10375643biostudies-literatureOral health literacy, knowledge and perceptions in a socially and culturally diverse population: a mixed methods study.PMC10375643Eberhard JThaliph ALaranjo LKing SSmith BJfalseOral health literacy, knowledge and perceptions in a socially and culturally diverse population: a mixed methods study.<h4>Background</h4>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.<h4>Methods</h4>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.<h4>Results</h4>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 school2023-01-01T00:00:00Z2023 Jul2025-07-04T03:06:00.021Z2025-04-04T20:48:13.011ZS-EPMC103756433750773710.1186/s12889-023-16381-5