Rachel L Hendrickson|Colleen E. Huebner|Christine A. Riedy
Readability of pediatric health materials for preventive dental care
University of Washington|University of Washington|University of Washington
study examined content general readability pediatric oral health education materials parents young childrentwentyseven pediatric oral health pamphlets brochures commercial government industry private nonprofit sources analyzed general readability usability according several parameters readability fleschkincaid grade level flesch reading ease smog grade level thoroughness inclusion topics important young childrens oral health textual framework frequency complex phrases use pictures diagrams bulleted text within materials terminology frequency difficult words dental jargonreadability written texts ranged 2nd 9th grade average fleschkincaid grade level government publications equivalent grade 4 reading level 473 range 2466 fk grade levels commercial publications averaged 81 range 6989 industry published materials read average fleschkincaid grade level 74 range 4793 smog readability analysis based count polysyllabic words consistently rated materials 2 3 grade levels higher fleschkincaid analysis government sources significantly lower compared commercial industry sources fleschkincaid grade level smog readability analysis content analysis found materials commercial industry sources complex governmentsponsored publications whereas commercial sources thorough coverage pediatric oral health topics different materials frequently contained conflicting informationpediatric oral health care materials readily available yet quality readability vary widely general government publications readable commercial industry counterparts criteria usability results analyses presented article used consumers dental educational materials ensure choices wellsuited specific patient population