Oral health knowledge among elderly patients.

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to determine the level of oral health knowledge among patients 65 years or older to identify areas in which knowledge gaps exist.

METHODS

The authors administered the Comprehensive Measure of Oral Health Knowledge questionnaire to patients 65 years or older at a university-based dental clinic and examined associations between oral health knowledge scores and participants' demographic and dental characteristics.

RESULTS

Most participants were familiar with basic dental disease prevention and treatment; however, many participants were unfamiliar with concepts pertaining to periodontal disease, oral cancer, and children's oral health.

CONCLUSIONS

Advocates for geriatric oral health should educate elderly populations about the risk factors associated with periodontal disease and oral cancer, especially as they become more at risk of experiencing these diseases.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

Educational messages aimed at both routine and nonroutine users of dental care should be developed on the basis of universal health literacy principles to facilitate understanding among elderly adults, who have varying literacy levels.