Oral Health Literacy in Iran: Insights from a Cross-Sectional Study on the Adult Population

Background and Objectives: It is important to note that Oral Health Literacy (OHL) not only pertains to dental health but also has a broader impact on overall quality of life. Therefore, this cross-sectional study aimed to assess the level of OHL in the adult population of Tehran, Iran. Materials and Methods:A sample of 700 Iranian adults (Tehran), aged 18-64 years, participated in this study (October 2021 and March 2022). A researcher-developed questionnaire was used to collect data on demographic variables and OHL. The questionnaire consisted of four domains: cognitive, behavioral, media, and communication skills. The data was analyzed by software SPSS 19. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, independent-samples t-tests, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), chi-square tests, and multiple regression analysis. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: The average age of the subjects was 35.50 +/- 8.87 years, ranging from 18 to 61 years. The mean OHL score was 67.62 +/- 15.53, indicating a moderate level of OHL. Among the dimensions of the questionnaire, cognitive skills received the highest scores and Communicative skill lowest. The results revealed significant associations between OHL and demographic variables. Multiple regression analysis showed that income, education level (academic and below diploma), and marital status (married) significantly predicted OHL. Conclusion: This study highlights the need for improved OHL in the Iranian adult population.The findings suggest that educational interventions targeting low-educated individuals and specific demographic groups could help enhance OHL. Efforts should be directed towards improving communication skills in oral health settings. Paper Type: Research Article