Abstract
Background
Health literacy includes the abilities of individuals and communities to comprehend and process health information to make health-related decisions, take health-related actions, and utilise healthcare services. Low levels of oral health literacy (OHL) as applied in the dental setting are prevalent globally, especially among socially excluded groups, and are associated with poor oral health outcomes. Improving OHL was suggested as essential to reducing oral health disparities. The study aims to explore the association of OHL with the dental consultation experience of socially excluded people in East Scotland.
Method
A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a convenience sampling method. Adults who were socially excluded and have used dental services in Scotland were recruited. Oral health literacy and dental consultation experience were measured using HeLD-14 and the Consultation and Relational Empathy (CARE) Scale, respectively. Descriptive analysis, independent one-sample t-tests, and simple linear regression were applied.
Findings
A sample of 402 participants, ranging in age from 18 to 97 years old (mean =42.36 years), participated. Within the sample, 52% were male, 68% were single, 57.4% were living in the most deprived area, and 63.4% were native English speakers. The mean score of HeLD-14 was 36.27, which was lower than in the general population when the scale was developed (48.5). Low OHL (<36) was in 46.3% of participants. The mean score of CARE was 33.71, which was lower than in the primary care setting with GPs (40.9) and nurses (45.9) in Scotland. There was a positive linear relationship between the HeLD-14 score and the CARE score (r = 0.451, p <.001).
Discussion
This study found that most participants experienced significant levels of social exclusion, almost half of whom had low OHL. Participants with lower OHL are more likely to report unfavourable consultation experiences with their dentists.
Health literacy includes the abilities of individuals and communities to comprehend and process health information to make health-related decisions, take health-related actions, and utilise healthcare services. Low levels of oral health literacy (OHL) as applied in the dental setting are prevalent globally, especially among socially excluded groups, and are associated with poor oral health outcomes. Improving OHL was suggested as essential to reducing oral health disparities. The study aims to explore the association of OHL with the dental consultation experience of socially excluded people in East Scotland.
Method
A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a convenience sampling method. Adults who were socially excluded and have used dental services in Scotland were recruited. Oral health literacy and dental consultation experience were measured using HeLD-14 and the Consultation and Relational Empathy (CARE) Scale, respectively. Descriptive analysis, independent one-sample t-tests, and simple linear regression were applied.
Findings
A sample of 402 participants, ranging in age from 18 to 97 years old (mean =42.36 years), participated. Within the sample, 52% were male, 68% were single, 57.4% were living in the most deprived area, and 63.4% were native English speakers. The mean score of HeLD-14 was 36.27, which was lower than in the general population when the scale was developed (48.5). Low OHL (<36) was in 46.3% of participants. The mean score of CARE was 33.71, which was lower than in the primary care setting with GPs (40.9) and nurses (45.9) in Scotland. There was a positive linear relationship between the HeLD-14 score and the CARE score (r = 0.451, p <.001).
Discussion
This study found that most participants experienced significant levels of social exclusion, almost half of whom had low OHL. Participants with lower OHL are more likely to report unfavourable consultation experiences with their dentists.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - 2024 |
| Event | International Conference for Communication in Healthcare - Zaragoza, Spain Duration: 10 Sept 2024 → 13 Sept 2024 Conference number: 2024 https://each.international/eachevents/conferences/icch-2024/programme/ |
Conference
| Conference | International Conference for Communication in Healthcare |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Spain |
| City | Zaragoza |
| Period | 10/09/24 → 13/09/24 |
| Internet address |
Keywords
- health literacy
- Consultation
- social exclusion
