Oral Health Literacy: An Overview and Update

Oral health literacy was first defined in 2000 in the Oral Health Chapter of Healthy People 2010.  Oral health literacy by definition is ‘The degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process and understand basic oral health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions.’ Inherent in this definition is the concept that oral health outcomes would improve by fostering individuals [patients, providers and policy makers] understanding and use of appropriate science-based health information. The Surgeon’s General report on Oral Health in American made multiple references to factors that impact oral health that would be ameliorated through improved health literacy of both the public and health care providers. A more direct focus on oral health literacy was highlighted in the National Call to Action to Promote Oral Health released in 2003…a banner year for health literacy what with the release of Health Literacy: A Prescription to End confusion and the first evidence- based review by AHRQ, Literacy and Health Outcomes.

In 2004 the National Institute of Dental Research (NIDCR) among other participating NIH institutes, issued a program announcement for research on health literacy. As a result, numerous studies have resulted from this PA which is still active. For example studies have shown that individuals with low levels of oral health literacy tend to have higher caries rates, lower levels of dental knowledge, fewer dental visits and higher no-shows. 

Health literacy is now and acknowledge pathway to improve health, including oral health and is on the national agenda. Oral health literacy is a relatively new construct that has made impressive gains since it was first introduced in 2000.