Oral Health Status of Thai Older Adults with Different Oral Health Literacy Levels
Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess oral health status and its links to their Oral Health Literacy (OHL) level in older adults.
Methods: A single visit cross-sectional study was conducted in January to February 2018 with 115 participants aged 60 or more living in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Participants were asked to complete the OHL test (OA-TOFHLiD)along with demographic details, after which an oral health screening was undertaken.
Results: When dichotomized participants according to their OHL level (adequate or inadequate OHL), there wasa significant difference between several characteristics and oral health status in the two groups (p<0.05). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that adequate OHL was associated with having good oral health in older adults (p=0.001).
Conclusions: In community-dwelling older adults, oral health status varied between people with adequate and inadequate oral health literacy; older adults with adequate oral health literacy had less oral disease, less treatment need, and better oral health.
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