Parents' dental anxiety and oral health literacy: effects on parents' and children's oral health‐related experiences

Abstract

Objective To explore a) the relationship between parents'/guardians' dental anxiety and oral health literacy and b) those between these variables and background and oral health‐related characteristics. Methods Survey data were collected from 187 parents/guardians (81% female; average age 37 years). Dental anxiety was measured with the Dental Anxiety Scale – Revised ( DAS ‐ R ) and oral health literacy with the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Dentistry ( REALD ‐30). Children's dental charts were reviewed to collect information about their dental treatment. Results DAS ‐ R and REALD ‐30 scores were correlated ( r = −0.22; P = 0.003). A multivariate regression model with DAS ‐ R score as the dependent variable showed that the DAS ‐ R score has a significant multivariate association with REALD ‐30, oral health, income, and presence of fillings. Conclusions Dental anxiety and oral health literacy are related. However, DAS score has a significant multivariate association with the four variables REALD ‐30 score, oral health, income, and presence of fillings. These findings show that among socioeconomically disadvantaged patients, the contributors to poor oral health are interrelated and multidetermined and include poor oral health literacy and dental anxiety. The public health message is that in order to improve the overall oral health of socioeconomically disadvantaged patients, public health stakeholders need to consider how to communicate with these patients effectively and how to reduce dental anxiety. Gaining a better understanding of how to communicate with parents a) at an appropriate literacy level and b) in a way that it reduces dental anxiety is therefore crucial.