Relation between oral health literacy and oral health status affecting oral health related quality of life of children Grade 6 in Saraphi District Chiang Mai Province
Abstract:
Sixth-grade students are more likely to develop dental caries and gingivitis. There are
few studies regarding oral health literacy and quality of life in the oral health dimension among
this student group. This study aims to l) estimate the level of oral health literacy, oral health status
and oral health related quality of life investigate the relationship between individual factors and
oral health literacy. 3) investigate relationship between individual factors and oral health literacy
affecting the oral health status. 4) investigate relationship between individual factors, oral health
literacy and oral health status affecting oral health related quality of life of children in Grade 6,
Saraphi District, Chiang Mai Province.
This study is a cross-sectional analytical with 208 primary school students in Grade 6,
Saraphi District, Chiang Mai Province, collecting data between June - July 2023 using
a systematic sampling method. Demographic data, the oral health literacy and oral health was
collected using an interview questionnaire. Oral health related quality of was collected using
Child-OIDP. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Multiple logic regression analysis
was used to examine factors associated with oral health literacy and oral health related quality of
life of children in Grade 6. Zero-inflated Poisson regression analysis was performed to exanine
factors associated with oral health. All statistical analysis was performed through a statistical
analysis program.
The results of the study found that the sample group had a low level of oral health
literacy. As for oral health status, it was found that most of the sample had less than 24 permanent
teeth in their mouths and had an average of 0.97 tooth decay extraction and fillings (DMFT) per
person. 16.9 percent of them had gingivitis problems and had no fluorosis teeth. Quality of life
found that oral health problems affect the quality of life in terms of eating, oral cleaning, and
resting. A study also showed that gender was the factor that related to the level of oral health
literacy and was statistically significant associated with oral health literacy. BMI and
toothbrushing frequency were statistically significant associated to oral health. Finally, the study
of each aspect of quality of life found that fluoride mixed in toothpaste and oral health are factors
that are statistically significant related to quality of Life.
In conclusion, oral health is a factor that affects quality of life. Therefore, having
knowledge about oral health at an appropriate level may reduce oral health problems and may improve the quality of life of the children.