THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MOTHER'S ORAL HEALTH LITERACY AND ORAL HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE (OHQOL) OF TODDLERS

Abstract

Background. Mother's Oral Health Literacy is the key to change in children's oral health. The relationship between health literacy and health outcomes has been widely published, but evidence of the impact of oral health literacy remains under-researched. The purpose of the study was to analyze the effect of mother's oral health literacy on the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQOL) of toddlers. Methods. Analytical observational research with a cross-sectional approach in the Silo II Health Center work area for toddlers aged 36-60 months (1027 toddlers). Samples were taken by cluster random sampling of as many as 95 toddlers. The variables of this study were Mother's Oral Health Literacy with the HeLD Index measuring instrument and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life with the Ecohis index measuring instrument. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and the Spearman Correlation test. Results. Mother's Oral Health Literacy average of 64.68 ± 33.37 (moderate category). The average Oral Health Related Quality of Life is 29.55 ± 14.97 (moderate category). There is a relationship between Mother's Oral Health Literacy and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (p-value=0.000). Conclusion. There is a relationship between Mother's Oral Health Literacy and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life.