Oral communicative literacy of elders in Hong Kong

Abstract

Effective patient-dentist communication is an important attribute for understanding and presenting health information and instructions from clinicians that affects the treatment outcome. Objectives: This study investigated the oral communicative literacy of elders in Hong Kong. Relationships between oral communicative literacy and socio-demographic and clinical oral health parameters were explored. Methods: Community-dwelling elders were recruited from community centers. They were asked to recall the last episode of oral/dental pain and to describe it as detailed as possible. One point was given to each precise description of the location, type, frequency, severity, stimulation, method of alleviation and time it occurred. Oral hygiene level was assessed using plaque index. The number of carious, missing and filled teeth (DMFT), reading and toothbrushing habits were recorded. Data were analysed using analysis of covariance. Results: 139 elders with a mean age of 72.8 (SD=7.5) participated in this study. They used a mean of 3.6 (SD=1.6) words to describe the last pain episode. About 10% of the elders failed to perform this task. Subjects who were younger (p < 0.001), had more filled teeth (p < 0.01), attained secondary school education or above (p < 0.001) and read more than 30 minutes per day (p < 0.001) were found to use more words. Conclusions: Oral communicative literacy of community-dwelling elders in Hong Kong was fair. Elders who were older, attained lower education level, and spent less time in reading had lower oral communicative literacy level. Supported by HKU-SPF.