Masashi Ueno|Susumu Takeuchi|Akiko Oshiro|Yoko Kawaguchi
Relationship between oral health literacy and oral health behaviors and clinical status in Japanese adults
Tokyo Medical and Dental University|Tokyo Medical and Dental University|Tokyo Medical and Dental University|Tokyo Medical and Dental University
health literacy recognized important determinant health well causal factor health disparities among different population groups however paucity information oral health literacy makes urgent need research important topic objective study investigate oral health literacy relates oral health behaviors well clinical dental periodontal condition selfadministered questionnaire dental examination collected information demographics 589 adult residents akita prefecture japan including oral health behaviors oral hygiene status oral health literacy number natural teeth decayed teeth functional tooth units ftus community periodontal index less half participants knew japanese words dental plaque scaling gingivitis fluoride mouth rinsing 8020 campaign mouthwash denture plaque answered true response statement scaling related periodontal disease higher participants oral health literacy often brushed teeth dentures selfchecked oral condition mirror regular dental checkups better oral hygiene status furthermore individuals higher oral health literacy higher mean numbers natural teeth nftus nifftus participants higher oral health literacy also fewer decayed teeth participants low oral health literacy likely fall higher category community periodontal index code compared high oral health literacy findings indicate oral health literacy associated differences oral health behaviors clinical oral health status understanding participants oral health literacy levels crucial designing effective health educational materials creating intervention programs promote oral health