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16 - Correlation of Oral Health Literacy and Behaviors in Adolescents.

Friday, May 23, 2025
10:20 AM - 10:40 AM MDT
Has Audio

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Keisha Brady, DDS

    Resident
    Meharry Medical College
    Meharry Medical College
    Franklin, Tennessee, United States

    • Research Mentor(s)

  • TW

    Tiffany Wilson, DDS

    Meharry Medical College
    Nashville, Tennessee, United States

    • Program Director(s)

  • MP

    Mirissa Price, DMD

    Meharry Medical College
    Nashville, Tennessee, United States

Abstract:

Purpose: This study aims to assess the oral health literacy (OHL) of adolescents aged 13-17 and examine how OHL correlates with oral health behaviors by using the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy Dentistry (REALD-30).

Methods: Adolescents aged 13 to 17 receiving treatment at Meharry Pediatric Dental Clinic from August 2023 to December 2025 were asked to complete the REALD-30. Rasch model analysis of 35 dental health items assessed item functionality, measurement precision, and differential item functioning across language, gender, and racial groups.

Results: Forty-eight patients were enrolled in the study by completing an oral health questionnaire and REALD-30. The model explained 69.4% of total variance with strong item reliability of 0.98. Key measurement properties include person separation of 1.60 (real) and 2.25 (model), with a Cronbach's Alpha of 0.76. Differential Item Functioning (DIF) analysis revealed significant variations: FLOSSING showed significant DIF for language and race, while BRUXISM and BRACES showed significant DIF for gender. The item difficulty range spans from –7.57 to 3.35 logits, with a mean person measure of –6.15 logits (SE = 0.30). Three items showed significant misfit: TEETHBRUSH (INFIT MNSQ = 2.59), FLOSSING (INFIT MNSQ = 2.09), and CARBAMIDE (INFIT MNSQ = 1.70).

Conclusion: Technical dental terminology and more complex concepts show consistent performance across racial groups with minimal difference in gender. The findings from these studies collectively emphasize the significant influence of oral health literacy (OHL) on oral health outcomes, with lower OHL levels consistently associated with poorer oral health and increased prevalence of dental caries.

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