Oral Health and Literacy

We have long known of the social gradation in health and of the connections between and among income, education, and health. Until recently, however, little inquiry has focused on the pathways between education and health outcomes. Literacy is emerging as one such pathway. Illness and premature death among vulnerable population groups may be the result of a mismatch between demands of health information and care systems and the literacy skills of adults. We know from studies in medicine that those with more limited literacy skills are less likely than those with strong literacy skills to participate in screening and early detection, to manage a chronic disease, or to avoid re-hospitalization after surgery. This presentation offers an overview of the now substantial body of research in health literacy with attention to specific implications for oral health promotion and community participation as well as for best practice guidelines.