Oral health literacy, knowledge, practice and beliefs among Asian Americans: A scoping review

Objectives

The Asian American (AsA) population is at high risk for poor oral health outcomes and remains an underserved and understudied community. Low oral health literacy could explain poor oral health behaviours, practices and outcomes in this population. The aims were as follows: (i) provide a scoping review of oral health literacy, knowledge, practice and beliefs among AsA individuals residing in the United States; (ii) identify any instruments or tools translated into participants' language and (iii) determine whether the translated instruments had been assessed for validity and reliability.

Methods

The current study used a scoping review framework based on PRISMA-ScR that included rigorous eligibility criteria, search strategy, independent selection process with adjudication, and standardized reporting of outcomes. The search was conducted on March 14, 2022, and updated on February 25, 2023 and February 13, 2024, in the following databases: Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and CINAHL.

Peer-reviewed original research on oral health literacy, knowledge, awareness, practice, and beliefs related to oral health care in AsA subgroups published in English were included.

Two reviewers independently assessed whether titles and abstracts should be included for review, with discrepancies adjudicated by a third reviewer. Data extracted from articles used a standard template that included study design, and measurement tools of oral health, knowledge, awareness, practice and beliefs, as well as results and conclusions of the publication. In addition, the template captured whether the translated and original measurement tools were assessed for reliability and validity.

Results

Of the 367 papers identified, 10 studies that met eligibility criteria were included in the final review. Of these, four studies used previously validated tools to assess oral health measurements in AsA. Only five of the studies translated the tools into the participants' native language. Although AsA exhibited lower oral health literacy than Whites but higher than Hispanics and African Americans, none of the translated tools were assessed for reliability and validity. Acculturation and country of birth were factors influencing oral health behaviours related to good oral health practice and utilization, with AsA born in the United States exhibiting higher oral health utilization than those born in their country of origin. Oral health beliefs played a significant role in dental care utilization among AsA populations.

Conclusions

The scoping review on oral health in Asian American communities identifies a significant research gap, particularly in the lack of validated tools for assessing oral health literacy, which varies across ethnic groups. It notes that AsA generally have lower oral health literacy compared to Whites, but higher than Hispanics and African Americans. AsA born in the United States shows better oral health practices, influenced by acculturation and birth country. The findings emphasize the need for more thorough and culturally adapted research methods to address oral health disparities in this diverse group.