Oral Health Literacy and Its Impact on Oral Health Promotion Behaviors in Peruvian Adults: A Multidimensional...

To evaluate oral health literacy and its impact on oral health promotion behaviors in Peruvian adults, considering their sociodemographic characteristics.

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 with 669 adults residing in Metropolitan Lima, Peru. Oral health literacy was assessed using the condensed, validated Peruvian Spanish version of the Health Literacy in Dentistry (HeLD-14) instrument. A structured questionnaire was used to gather data on sociodemographic characteristics and self-reported oral health behaviors. The association between variables was analyzed using Poisson regression with robust variance to estimate prevalence ratios.

The final sample's mean oral health literacy score was 47.16, indicating an overall elevated level. Statistically significant differences were noted by age, with adults aged 18-30 having the highest scores (mean = 48.10; P < 0.05), and by education level, with participants having technical education scoring highest (mean = 49.02; P < 0.05). Tooth pain was the most frequently reported reason for dental visits (51.27%). Significant associations were found between specific literacy dimensions and behaviors: the "support" dimension was linked to brushing at least twice daily (adjusted PR = 1.02); the "access" dimension was associated with using fluoridated toothpaste (adjusted PR = 1.07); and the "comprehension" dimension was associated with the use of other oral hygiene accessories (adjusted PR = 1.09).

A significant but low-impact association was identified between oral health literacy and key promotion behaviors, including toothbrushing, the use of fluoride toothpaste, and other hygiene accessories. This effect is considered minimal at an individual clinical level but may be potentially relevant for broader public health initiatives at the population level.