Relationship between oral health literacy and changes in self-assessment of oral health during COVID-19

Background/purpose

Health literacy is thought to play a major role in implementing health behaviors, such as preventing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this study, we aimed to examine the relationship between oral health literacy (OHL), dietary literacy (DL), and changes in oral health and eating habits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Materials and methods

The self-assessment questionnaire, including questions on oral and dietary conditions for each period of the COVID-19 pandemic, sources of information, OHL, DL, and frequency of COVID-19 prevention measures, was administered using a web research company. All participants were divided into low- and high-literacy groups based on the median scores: those who scored above the median in the high group and those who scored at or below the median in the low group. Comparisons were conducted between the two groups.

Results

The median OHL and DL scores were 16 and 17 for the 344 participants included in the study (168 males and 176 females); 160 (46.5%) participants had high OHL scores, and 157 (45.6%) had high DL scores. The group with high OHL or DL tended to collect information sent by medical professionals compared to the group with low OHL or DL, had significantly higher scores on self-assessment of oral and dietary conditions, and tended to implement infection control actions more frequently in eating situations.

Conclusion

The high OHL and DL groups gathered information from professionals to have attain oral and dietary conditions regardless of COVID-19 and tended to implement infection prevention measures in oral health and diet.