158 - Caregiver Oral Health Literacy in a Hospital-Based Pediatric Dental Clinic

Purpose: Low caregiver oral health literacy (OHL) has been shown to be associated with higher caries prevalence in children, more extensive treatment needs, and higher expenditures related to emergency dental services. This study assessed the OHL of caregivers presenting to a hospital-based pediatric dental clinic to determine the relationship between caregiver OHL and utilization of emergency and preventative dental services. This study also aimed to identify social factors that may be associated with caregiver OHL.

Methods: Questionnaires containing the Comprehensive Measure of Oral Health Knowledge (CMOHK), a validated, 23-question OHL assessment, were distributed to English-speaking caregivers of pediatric patients presenting for either emergency walk-in (ER) or hygiene (EX) visits at a hospital-based pediatric dental clinic in Columbus, OH. Other information related to social determinants of health (SDoH) was collected from the electronic health record (Epic). Statistical analysis was completed.

Results: No significant difference was found between the caregiver OHL of patients presenting for ER and EX visits (p > 0.05). Caregiver OHL was not significantly associated with various SDoH (p > 0.05). There was a significant association found between child race and caregiver OHL (p < 0.05). Significantly more caregivers in the ER group had previously used the emergency department for their children’s dental concerns (p < 0.01).

Conclusion: Caregiver OHL did not impact utilization of dental services (preventative or emergency). Caregivers of children in minority groups (Black, Hispanic, etc.) tended to have lower OHL than those with white children which may have implications related to other health disparities.