Jeffrey J. VanWormer|Sailee Tambe|Amit Acharya
Oral Health Literacy and Outcomes in Rural Wisconsin Adults
Marshfield Clinic|University of Minnesota|Marshfield Clinic
low oral health literacy ohl emerging risk factor several oral health outcomes studies ohl overall studies ohl rural united states purpose study examine association ohl sociodemographic factors well several oral health outcomes rural adults served integrated medical dental care system wisconsina crosssectional survey administered stratified random sample patients 2 rural communities survey data linked local electronic health records multivariable regression used identify sociodemographic determinants low ohl well associations ohl oral hygiene oral health quality life dentist visits emergencyurgent care visits nontraumatic dental conditionsamong 164 respondents ohl scores generally high significantly lower among nonwhite participants p 001 well without college degree p 001 annual household income 40000 p 029 lower ohl scores significantly associated lower quality life scores p 005 fewer visits dentist p 007 emergency room visits nontraumatic dental conditions p 021in rural wisconsin low ohl tracked closely markers socioeconomic status appeared influential context appropriate dental care utilization future research consider longitudinal explorations ohl influences preventive emergency dental visits time