Association between parental oral health literacy and child oral health: findings from a cross-sectional study using the TOHLAT-P scale
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of parents' sociodemographic characteristics, oral health-related attitudes and behaviors, and oral health literacy (OHL) levels on the oral health outcomes of their children aged 6-12 years who attended a pediatric dentistry clinic. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used the TOHLAT-P scale as a data collection tool and analyzed data from 238 parent-child pairs. The Pearson Chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables. RESULTS: A significant association was found between children's oral hygiene status and parental education level (college/university graduate) (p = 0.002), employment status (employed) (p = 0.029), history of receiving oral health education (p = 0.045), regular toothbrushing (p = 0.020), routine dental check-ups (p < 0.001), and high TOHLAT-P scores (p < 0.001). Participants with a TOHLAT-P score of 30 or below were found to be 5.366 times more likely to have poor-to-moderate oral hygiene levels (based on OHI-S scores) compared to those with scores of 31 or above (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Parental OHL level has a positive impact on children's oral hygiene, and sociodemographic and behavioral factors may influence this literacy level. In this context, it is recommended to develop family-based intervention models and literacy-focused health education strategies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable.
Source: BMC Oral Health
Institution: Gazi University
Language: English
Subfield: Periodontics
Field: Dentistry
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,190
OpenAlex ID: W7117135853