Methods: A random sample of three hundred and fifteen child/parent dyads was recruited from the kindergartens in Hong Kong Island. An original, validated oral health literacy assessment task: Hong Kong Oral Health Literacy Assessment Task (HKOHLAT) was administered to parents to assess their oral health literacy levels. Children’s oral health status was assessed [dental caries experience- dmft and oral hygiene status- Visible Plaque Index (VPI)].
Results: HKOHLAT scores were significantly correlated with dmft (r=-.27, p<0.001), but there was no correlation between HKOHLAT and VPI (r=.02, p=.70).
Conclusions: Based on results from an oral health literacy assessment task, parental oral health literacy was associated with young children’s oral health status in Hong Kong.
Acknowledgments: The authors acknowledge the financial support provided by the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong (Ref: 760009).