Examination of Oral Health Literacy in Public Health Practice

According to the 1992 National Adult Literacy Survey, 25 percent of US adults are functionally illiterate. Because written health information is frequently provided at above the 10th grade level, health messages are not reaching low-literacy patients, which jeopardizes their health status. Researchers have found that low literacy has a detrimental effect on general health and the use of medical services. Evidence from research in medical settings consistently highlights the importance of comprehension and literacy for patient compliance and increased positive health outcomes. Although much is known about medical health literacy, no studies that have systematically studied oral health literacy. The purpose of this current application is to examine how a low dental literacy population interprets dental health prevention information, navigates the dental health system and whether participation in a large comprehensive public health program (Women, Infant and Children's Program) can be effective in improving this process for pregnant women and their children and reduce health disparities.