The Impact of Oral Health Literacy on Dental Anxiety and Utilization of Oral Health Services

The Impact of Oral Health Literacy on Dental Anxiety and Utilization of Oral Health Services Among Dental Patients: A Cross Sectional Study

Oral Health Literacy is an integral part that should be taken into measures when evaluating the oral health status of any population. It has been stated that adults with low oral health literacy are more prone to miss their dental appointments and that low levels of oral health literacy, and being anxious and fearful of the dentist is a common barrier to the utilization of dental services. Unfortunately no previous studies assessed the oral health literacy level, dental anxiety and utilization of dental services among the Egyptian population. So the aim of the current study is to detect the impact of oral health literacy on level of dental anxiety and utilization of dental services among Misr International University (MIU) dental patients.

The current study is a cross sectional study that includes an interview lead questionnaire that will be carried out by second year dental students of the academic years (2018-2019, 2019- 2020). The questionnaire consists of four sections; a demographic section, a modified Arabic Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy (ARELAD-30) Tool, Arabic Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (AMDAS), and Utilization of oral health services questionnaire. Before conducting the study, orientation sessions and thorough training of the students will be performed to ensure that the students can conduct the interview consistently and efficiently. Students will be asked to design educational materials (brochures, leaflets and posters) that aim at improving patients' knowledge and awareness regarding oral health and the utilization of oral health services. The aim of this study is to detect the impact of oral health literacy on the level of dental anxiety and utilization of dental services among dental patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Both genders.
• Age: 18 - 60 years old.
• Dentate or partially edentulous patients with or without fixed or removable appliances.
• Healthy adults as well as adults with any chronic condition and/or under regular use of medication.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subjects with mental or psychological problems.
• Subjects who cannot read or write.