Kamolchaiwanich Kirana, Wanichsaithong Pinpinut
Division of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Thammasat University, No. 99, Phahonyothin Road, Khlong Luang District, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand.
Division of Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, Chiang Mai University, Suthep Road, Muang District, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand.
BMC Oral Health. 2025 Aug 7;25(1):1300. doi: 10.1186/s12903-025-06613-y.
Low oral health literacy (OHL) plays a crucial role in contributing to poor oral health outcomes. However, limited studies have focused on school-age children. This study aims to investigate the association between OHL among sixth-grade primary school students and oral health outcomes, and to identify factors related to inadequate OHL.
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 408 Thai sixth-grade primary school students (aged 12 years) in Pathum Thani Province, Thailand. Participants completed the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Dentistry for Primary School Children (P-TOFHLiD) to assess OHL and underwent oral examinations. Oral health behaviors were collected through participant interviews and caregiver questionnaires, while demographic data were obtained from caregiver questionnaires. Chi-square tests, Spearman's correlation, and logistic regression were used to assess associations between OHL and oral health outcomes, and to identify risk factors for inadequate OHL.
The mean P-TOFHLiD score was 19.4 (SD = 4.7), with a median of 21 (IQR: 17-23). 59.6% had inadequate OHL (score < 21). Chi-square tests showed that participants with inadequate OHL were more likely to have untreated caries in permanent teeth (p < 0.001), first permanent molars with disease-related pulp exposure (p = 0.001), poorer oral hygiene (p < 0.001), and consumption of cariogenic snacks (p < 0.001), while no associations were found with missing or filled permanent teeth, brushing frequency, fluoridated toothpaste use, or dental service utilization. Logistic regression showed that inadequate OHL increased the odds of having untreated caries in permanent teeth (AOR = 8.30, 95% CI: 4.89-14.11), first permanent molars with disease-related pulp exposure (AOR = 20.63, 95% CI: 4.84-87.91), and poor oral hygiene (AOR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.20-3.59). Lower Grade Point Average (GPA) (AOR = 0.01, 95% CI: 0.00-0.02) and low family income (< 10,000 Baht) (AOR = 3.56, 95% CI: 1.62-7.82) were associated with increased risk of inadequate OHL.
Inadequate OHL was linked to adverse oral health outcomes. Lower GPA and low family income were identified as risk factors for inadequate OHL. These findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions to strengthen OHL and improve children's oral health.
Not applicable.
较低的口腔健康素养在导致不良口腔健康结果方面起着关键作用。然而，针对学龄儿童的研究有限。本研究旨在调查小学六年级学生的口腔健康素养与口腔健康结果之间的关联，并确定与口腔健康素养不足相关的因素。
在泰国巴吞他尼府对408名12岁的泰国小学六年级学生进行了一项横断面研究。参与者完成了《小学生口腔功能健康素养测试》（P-TOFHLiD）以评估口腔健康素养，并接受了口腔检查。通过参与者访谈和照顾者问卷收集口腔健康行为，而人口统计学数据则从照顾者问卷中获取。使用卡方检验、斯皮尔曼相关性分析和逻辑回归来评估口腔健康素养与口腔健康结果之间的关联，并确定口腔健康素养不足的风险因素。
P-TOFHLiD的平均得分为19.4（标准差=4.7），中位数为21（四分位间距：17-23）。59.6%的学生口腔健康素养不足（得分<21）。卡方检验表明，口腔健康素养不足的参与者更有可能有恒牙未治疗的龋齿（p<0.001）、患有与疾病相关牙髓暴露的第一恒磨牙（p=0.001）、口腔卫生较差（p<0.001）以及食用致龋零食（p<0.001），而与恒牙缺失或补牙、刷牙频率、使用含氟牙膏或利用牙科服务未发现关联。逻辑回归显示，口腔健康素养不足增加了恒牙未治疗龋齿的几率（调整后比值比[AOR]=8.30，95%置信区间[CI]：4.89-14.11）、患有与疾病相关牙髓暴露的第一恒磨牙的几率（AOR=20.63，95%CI：4.84-87.91）以及口腔卫生较差的几率（AOR=2.08，95%CI：1.20-3.59）。较低的平均绩点（GPA）（AOR=0.01，95%CI：0.00-0.02）和低家庭收入（<10,000泰铢）（AOR=3.56，95%CI：1.62-7.82）与口腔健康素养不足风险增加相关。
口腔健康素养不足与不良口腔健康结果相关。较低的GPA和低家庭收入被确定为口腔健康素养不足的风险因素。这些发现强调了有针对性的干预措施以加强口腔健康素养和改善儿童口腔健康的必要性。
不适用。
