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Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
Environmental Health Literacy Among Dental Professionals: A Cross-Sectional Assessment
Reem Al-Kattan1, Nouf Alshibani1, Lamees AlSumm1
1: Department of Periodontics and Community Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
|May 20, 2026
Summary
Environmental health literacy (EHL) among dental professionals is moderate, with a significant gap between awareness and practice. Targeted education is crucial for promoting sustainable dental practices.
Area of Science:
- Environmental health
- Dental public health
- Health literacy
Background:
- Environmental health literacy (EHL) is critical for promoting sustainable practices in healthcare.
- Assessing EHL among dental professionals is essential to identify areas for improvement in environmental stewardship within dentistry.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the level of environmental health literacy among dental professionals.
- To identify factors associated with environmental health literacy in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire assessing knowledge, attitudes, practices, and confidence.
- Environmental health literacy scores were calculated from Likert-scale items, with a threshold of ≥70% indicating good literacy.
- Linear and logistic regression analyses were employed to determine associated factors.
Main Results:
- The mean EHL score was 71.45 (SD=15.39), with 51.3% of the 386 participants achieving good literacy.
- While knowledge (55.7%) and attitudes (65.6%) were relatively high, good practice was lower (42.5%), highlighting a disparity between awareness and implementation.
- Attendance at environmental health events significantly correlated with higher EHL scores (β = 5.64, p < 0.001) and increased odds of good literacy (aOR = 5.21).
Conclusions:
- Environmental health literacy among dental professionals is moderate, characterized by a notable gap between awareness and practical application.
- There is a clear need for targeted educational interventions to enhance EHL and foster environmentally sustainable practices in dental settings.
- Encouraging participation in environmental health events may be an effective strategy to improve EHL and promote eco-friendly dental care.
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