Abstract Objectives To determine oral health literacy (REALD-30) and oral health literacy-related outcome associations, and to calculate if oral health literacy-related outcomes are risk indicators for poor self-reported oral health among rural-dwelling Indigenous Australians.Methods 468 participants (aged 17-72 years, 63% female) completed a self-report questionnaire.REALD-30 and oral health literacy-related outcome associations were determined through bivariate read more analysis.Multivariate modelling was used to calculate risk indicators for poor self-reported oral health.
Results REALD-30 scores were lower among those who believed teeth should be infrequently brushed, believed cordial was good for teeth, did not own a toothbrush or owned a toothbrush but brushed irregularly.Tooth removal risk indicators included being older, problem-based dental attendance and believing cordial was good for teeth.Poor self-rated oral health risk indicators included being older, healthcare card ownership, difficulty paying dental bills, problem-based dental attendance, believing teeth should be brushed infrequently and irregular brushing.Perceived need for dental care risk indicators included being female and problem-based dental attendance.
Perceived gum disease risk indicators Dab Tools included being older and irregular brushing.Feeling uncomfortable about oro-facial appearance risk indicators included problem-based dental attendance and irregular brushing.Food avoidance risk indicators were being female, difficulty paying dental bills, problem-based dental attendance and irregular brushing.Poor oral health-related quality of life risk indicators included difficulty paying dental bills and problem-based dental attendance.
Conclusions REALD-30 was significantly associated with oral health literacy-related outcomes.Oral health literacy-related outcomes were risk indicators for each of the poor self-reported oral health domains among this marginalised population.