Exploring the Association Between Oral Health Literacy and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life Among Young Women in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objectives: One approach for improving oral health is focusing on oral health literacy (OHL). In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between OHL and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and to identify relevant OHL intervention targets that can be used to improve oral health. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional questionnaire study among 1889 10th grade female students in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). We then assessed OHL using the Arabic version of the short version of the Health Literacy in Dentistry scale (A-HeLD-14). OHRQoL was assessed using the 14-item oral health impact profile (OHIP-14). Information on socio-demographics and oral health-related behaviours (e.g., toothbrushing, sugary diet consumption and dental attendance) was also collected. The relationship between OHL and OHRQoL was investigated using binary logistic regression adjusted for sociodemographic information and oral health-related behaviours. Results: In both the adjusted and unadjusted models, poor OHL was significantly associated with OHRQoL problems (odds ration [OR] = 2.90, p < 0.001). Having any OHL problem was significantly associated with having an OHRQoL problem (p < 0.001). The ORs were highest for the domains of financial barriers (OR = 2.49, p < 0.001) and receptivity (OR = 2.16, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Interventions targeted at individuals with low OHL are crucial to improving OHRQoL in the population. The most relevant interventions concern (a) dedicating time and attention to oral health and (b) financial barriers.