Health Literacy and Its Determinants in Adult Patients Referred toDental Clinics: A Cross Sectional Study in Mashhad, Iran

Introduction: Health literacy is the capacity of individuals to obtain, understand and interpret basic health information that is necessary to make appropriate health-related decisions. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between oral health literacy and DMFT (Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth) index, which was conducted in Mashhad dental clinics in 2016.Methods: 380 patients referred to private and public clinics in Mashhad filled out the study questionnaire (OHL-AQ). The questionnaire contained 4 sections: reading, numeracy, listening and decision making. Each correct answer was assigned with a score of 1, and incorrect or no response were assigned with zero score. DMFT index was evaluated based on decayed, missing and filling teeth. Data analysis was performed using chi-square and linear regression.Results: The mean score of oral health literacy was 10.6 ± 3.4. Among patients 46.8 percent had appropriate oral health literacy level, 19.7 percent were with relatively appropriate and 33.4 percent with inappropriate health literacy levels.The average DMFT index within the study group was 8.3 ± 4.9 and was higher among men than women. A significant correlation between the health literacy level and the DMFT index was observed, although the correlation was inverse and weak (R= - 0/127).Conclusion: The average oral health literacy level for the entire study population was relatively appropriate, and the majority of subjects (46.8%) represent a good oral health literacy level. Furthermore, education, the economic status and collecting information from different sources of oral health are significant factors affecting the level of oral health literacy.