Dental Health Literacy among Highly Skilled Professionals in India: A Pilot Study
Purpose: Research in medical settings has consistently demonstrated that health literacy is essential for patient adherence and comprehension to medical/dental instructions including prescriptions and improving positive holistic health outcomes. Despite its recognized importance, the role of literac...
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National Board of Examinations
2024-11-01
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| Series: | National Board of Examinations Journal of Medical Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://natboard.edu.in/ejournal/articledtl?x=MjR3ellyc2lzYktVam9Eb0t1Rkdsdz09 |
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| author | Harsh Priya Ramya Shenoy Mithun Pai Dimple Rani Bangera Ashwini Rao Rajesh G Rao |
| author_facet | Harsh Priya Ramya Shenoy Mithun Pai Dimple Rani Bangera Ashwini Rao Rajesh G Rao |
| author_sort | Harsh Priya |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Purpose: Research in medical settings has consistently demonstrated that health literacy is essential for patient adherence and comprehension to medical/dental instructions including prescriptions and improving positive holistic health outcomes. Despite its recognized importance, the role of literacy in dentistry has received limited focus. This study aimed to assess the level of oral health literacy among professionals in a multinational company, using the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Dentistry-30 (REALD-30) as the measurement tool. Methods: A convenience sample of 111 adults was recruited from a dental camp held at two locations within an IT firm. Oral health literacy was measured and analysed using the REALD-30 scale. Participants also participated in interviews to collect sociodemographic information, dental visit history, dental needs, global oral health ratings, dental knowledge, practices, and comprehension. Additionally, clinical examinations were conducted to record the DMFT index (Decayed; D component, Missing; M component, and Filled; F component Teeth), as well as the presence of dental stains and calculus. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 13. Results: REALD-30 scores ranged from a low of 8 to a high of 25. Participants who had decayed, missing, or filled teeth, or a DMFT score higher than one, exhibited lower oral health literacy compared to the reference group. Similarly, lower oral health literacy was observed in participants with dental stains or calculus. Conclusions: Effective communication with patients is crucial for delivering high-quality dental care. The study concluded that a significant proportion of the highly educated professional group of people has less oral health literacy, which may obstruct their basic ability to understand and process the fundamental oral health information. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-28812e7249f146eda1ad79f69e380df7 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2583-7524 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | National Board of Examinations |
| record_format | Article |
| series | National Board of Examinations Journal of Medical Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-28812e7249f146eda1ad79f69e380df72024-11-11T07:22:16ZengNational Board of ExaminationsNational Board of Examinations Journal of Medical Sciences2583-75242024-11-01Volume 2Issue 111096110610.61770/NBEJMS.2024.v02.i11.005Dental Health Literacy among Highly Skilled Professionals in India: A Pilot StudyHarsh Priya0Ramya Shenoy1Mithun Pai2Dimple Rani Bangera3Ashwini Rao4Rajesh G Rao5Additional Professor, Division of Public Health Dentistry, Centre of for Dental Education and Research, All India Institute of Medical Sciences New DelhiProfessor and Head, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, MangaloreAssociate Professor, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, MangaloreDepartment of Public Health Dentistry, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, MangaloreProfessor, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, MangaloreMedical Scientist III, Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Infodemics, Institute for Child Health Policy, University of Florida, Florida, USAPurpose: Research in medical settings has consistently demonstrated that health literacy is essential for patient adherence and comprehension to medical/dental instructions including prescriptions and improving positive holistic health outcomes. Despite its recognized importance, the role of literacy in dentistry has received limited focus. This study aimed to assess the level of oral health literacy among professionals in a multinational company, using the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Dentistry-30 (REALD-30) as the measurement tool. Methods: A convenience sample of 111 adults was recruited from a dental camp held at two locations within an IT firm. Oral health literacy was measured and analysed using the REALD-30 scale. Participants also participated in interviews to collect sociodemographic information, dental visit history, dental needs, global oral health ratings, dental knowledge, practices, and comprehension. Additionally, clinical examinations were conducted to record the DMFT index (Decayed; D component, Missing; M component, and Filled; F component Teeth), as well as the presence of dental stains and calculus. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 13. Results: REALD-30 scores ranged from a low of 8 to a high of 25. Participants who had decayed, missing, or filled teeth, or a DMFT score higher than one, exhibited lower oral health literacy compared to the reference group. Similarly, lower oral health literacy was observed in participants with dental stains or calculus. Conclusions: Effective communication with patients is crucial for delivering high-quality dental care. The study concluded that a significant proportion of the highly educated professional group of people has less oral health literacy, which may obstruct their basic ability to understand and process the fundamental oral health information.https://natboard.edu.in/ejournal/articledtl?x=MjR3ellyc2lzYktVam9Eb0t1Rkdsdz09reald-30oral health literacyoral health outcomehealth literacycommunication |
| spellingShingle | Harsh Priya Ramya Shenoy Mithun Pai Dimple Rani Bangera Ashwini Rao Rajesh G Rao Dental Health Literacy among Highly Skilled Professionals in India: A Pilot Study National Board of Examinations Journal of Medical Sciences reald-30 oral health literacy oral health outcome health literacy communication |
| title | Dental Health Literacy among Highly Skilled Professionals in India: A Pilot Study |
| title_full | Dental Health Literacy among Highly Skilled Professionals in India: A Pilot Study |
| title_fullStr | Dental Health Literacy among Highly Skilled Professionals in India: A Pilot Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Dental Health Literacy among Highly Skilled Professionals in India: A Pilot Study |
| title_short | Dental Health Literacy among Highly Skilled Professionals in India: A Pilot Study |
| title_sort | dental health literacy among highly skilled professionals in india a pilot study |
| topic | reald-30 oral health literacy oral health outcome health literacy communication |
| url | https://natboard.edu.in/ejournal/articledtl?x=MjR3ellyc2lzYktVam9Eb0t1Rkdsdz09 |
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