The Associations between Oral Health Literacy and Oral Health-Related Behaviours among Community-Dwelling Older People in Thailand

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the associations between oral health literacy and oral health behaviours among community-dwelling older adults in Thailand.

MATERIAL & METHODS: This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the District Health Promoting Hospitals (DHPH), Panarae district, Pattani province, Thailand, between 1-30 June 2020. A total of 271 community-dwelling older adults participated in the study. The inclusion criteria were independent living elderly who were 60 years or over and had at least one remaining tooth. Those who had a communication problem, severe chronic diseases, or disabilities were excluded. Data were collected by questionnaire interviewing. Binary logistic regression was analyzed.

RESULTS: In the final model of regression analyses, older age (OR = 1.810, p = 0.035), limited education levels (OR = 2.113, p = 0.027), and participants who had the frequency of tooth brushing less than two times per day (OR = 1.905, p = 0.047) were statistically significant predictors of lower oral health literacy levels.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings confirmed the strong associations between OHL and age, education levels, including the frequency of toothbrushing in the participants. This evidence indicates that an appropriate education program about oral health promotion probably induce adequate oral health literacy among the older population.