Payton Sinnott

DHY 258

August 11, 2019

Oral Health Literacy among Female Caregivers:

Impact on Oral Health Outcomes in Early Childhood

This study was to investigate the association of female caregivers oral health

literacy and knowledge and the oral health status of their children. Data was collected on

caregivers’ literacy, knowledge, behaviors, and children’s oral health status by structured

interviews with 1158 caregivers from a low-income population. All caregivers were

enrolled in WIC. The mean literacy score was 15.8. Low literacy was associated with

poor oral health behaviors, which included no daily brushing. To asses their knowledge a

6-item knowledge survey was used. They were asked to “agree”, “disagree”, or “don’t

know” to items such as: “fluoride preventing decay”, “decay in baby teeth can spread to

the face and other parts of the body.”

Recent studies linked low parental health literacy and poor health behaviors and

how they affect child health and health outcomes. It is very important for caregivers to

have knowledge about the oral health of their child; this will help in preventing early

child hood caries. Oral hygiene was also assessed with a questionnaire. The questions

included, “Do you brush or clean your child’s teeth or gums every day?” Dietary habits

were also assessed with the following questions: “How often does you child drink fruit
juices?” “How often does your child receive sweet snacks?” “ Do you ever put your child

to bed with a bottle?”

Overall, evidence linked caregivers’ low health literacy with negative early

childhood health-related behaviors. Poor health behaviors and decreased use of

preventative services are two factors between low literacy and poor pediatric health

outcomes. It is very important for caregivers to have knowledge on the oral health of their

child and knowledge of the importance of oral hygiene of their child.

 References

Oral Health Literacy among Female Caregivers Impact on Oral Health Outcomes in Early
Childhood
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3123718/

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