Impact of oral health literacy on oral health behaviors and outcomes among the older adults: a scoping review

Background Oral Health Literacy (OHL), defined as an ability to obtain, understand, and apply information related to oral health, plays a crucial role in promoting effective oral health outcomes and behaviors. Given the pressing need to enhance oral health among older adults, this scoping review aims to summarize the impact of OHL on oral health behaviors and outcomes in this population. Methods The authors performed an electronic search up through July 22, 2024. Among the 2,226 articles identified, the authors included studies in which the investigators evaluated the association between OHL and oral health behaviors or outcomes restricted to individuals aged 60 years and older. Thematic analysis was used to develop the domain for oral health behaviors or outcomes. Results Among the 10 studies analyzed, significant correlations were identified between OHL and various oral health indicators, including periodontitis, the number of remaining teeth, dental prosthesis use, oral hygiene, oral health-related quality of life among men, as well as dissatisfaction with oral health (p < 0.05). However, the results were conflicting across the studies, indicating variability in the strength and nature of these associations. Additionally, OHL was shown to significantly influence oral health-related behaviors, especially the tooth brushing frequency (p < 0.05). Conclusions This review highlights a scarcity of studies addressing OHL in older populations, suggesting that OHL has been deprioritized in efforts to improve oral health for this vulnerable group. Key gaps include the need for age-appropriate OHL assessment tools, stronger evidence linking OHL to specific oral health behaviors and outcomes, and the integration of OHL into broader health initiatives and research in older group. These areas are critical to advancing our understanding and improving oral health outcomes among older adults.