Health Literacy in Dentistry

ADA policy defines oral health literacy as the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate oral health decisions. It also recognizes that by improving health literacy, patients are better stewards of their own health. You can improve health literacy by using simple communication with the patient and confirming comprehension so that the risk of miscommunication is minimized. You can support patients' efforts to improve their oral health by using strategies that make the dental office environment and health care system easier to navigate.

Health Literacy Resources

ADA's Health Literacy Essay Contest 

The ADA Council on Advocacy for Access and Prevention (CAAP) sponsored its first pilot health writing contest for dental students in 2015 per the suggestion of Dr. Sorin Teich, Associate Professor, Department of Comprehensive Care and Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs at Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine. The Ohio Dental Association also collaborated on the initiative. The objectives of the contest are to increase students' knowledge about health literacy principles and build their skills in writing plain language. For more information please click on the box above to visit the Health Literacy Essay Contest page.

What is Health Literacy in Dentistry?

Increasing the Dental Team's Knowledge about Health Literacy

• CDC Health Literacy for Public Health Professionals 
  A web-based course to educate public health professionals on the importance of health literacy and their role in providing health information and services and promoting public health literacy.
• Federal Plain Language Guidelines
  The website contains training and resources for writing plain language.
• Center for Plain Language
  The website contains best practices for using, learning, and teaching plain language.
• Smiles for life - A National Oral Health Curriculum
  Smiles for Life produces educational resources to ensure the integration of oral health and primary care.
• California Dental Association Journal, April 2012
  The 2012 April issue of the CDA Journal focuses on oral health literacy.

• Health Literacy Environmental Scans of Community-Based Dental Clinics in Maryland Horowitz A, Maybury C, Kleinman D, Radice S, Wang M, Child W, Rudd R, American Journal of Public Health; August 2014.
• The health literacy environment of hospitals and health centers. Partners for action: Making your healthcare facility literacy-friendly. Rudd RE, Andersen J.  Boston, MA: Harvard School of Public Health; 2006. 
• The Health Literacy Environment Activity Packet: First Impressions and Walking Interview Rudd RE. Boston, MA: Harvard School of Public Health; 2010.
  This packet focuses on four activities designed to help staff members consider the health literacy environment of their workplace. 
• Agency for Health Research and Quality Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit
  The toolkit offers primary care practices a way to assess their services for health literacy considerations, increase patient understanding of health information and raise the awareness of the office about the use of health literacy principles. 
• Ten Attributes of Health Literate Health Care Organizations Brach C, Keller D, Hernandez LM, Baur C, Parker R, Dreyer B, Schyve P, Lemerise AJ, Schillinger D, National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine; June 2012. 
  
  

Consumer Education

• CDC Health Literacy: Accurate, Accessible and Actionable Health Information for All
• CDC Health Literacy Basics
• MouthHealthy.org - American Dental Association's Consumer Website
• Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Office of Oral Health 
• Oral Health Kansas Tips and Tricks
• Healthy Teeth, Healthy Kids 
• National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research 
• National Maternal & Child Oral Health Resource Center
  
  

For additional information, please contact

Kelly Cantor cantork@ada.org
Manager, Community-Based Programs
Council on Advocacy for Access & Prevention
312.587.4728