Picture of Dentist with Patient, Looking at X-Rays

 

 

 

 

Oral Health Literacy: 

An Annotated Bibliography of Materials

for People with Limited Literacy Skills

 

 

 

Dental Procedures  |  The Dentist/Dental Hygientist/Dental Office  |  Diabetes & Oral Health Care Problems  |  Fluoride & Plaque  |  General Oral Health Care  |  Gum Disease  |  Mouth Disorders  |  Mouthguards  |  Nutrition  |  Oral Cancer & Tobacco Use  |  Oral Health Care for Infants & Children

 

A recent National Adult Literacy Survey showed that over 90 million people in the United States read at or below the eighth grade level. Twenty-one to 23% percent of people assessed scored at the level 1 range, meaning they read at or below a fifth grade level. Twenty-five to 28% percent scored at the level 2 range, meaning they read at about an eighth grade level. This equates to almost 50% of the test group being below average in literacy skills. The implication of this in terms of health information literacy is that a majority of adults in the United States may lack the needed literacy skills to effectively use the U.S. healthcare system, especially given that routine health tasks, such as understanding prescription instructions, understanding consent forms or following doctor’s directions, often require more complex literacy skills than those needed to complete everyday tasks.

 

The purpose of this bibliography is to identify high-quality web-based, print, and audiovisual materials geared towards adults with limited literacy skills on the topics of preventive oral health care as well as oral health conditions and diseases. All text-based resources are written at a sixth grade reading level or below. Print and audiovisual materials may be viewed at Miami Dade College's Medical Center Campus Library.

Dental Procedures

Web Resources

Print Resources

This brief flyer defines what sealants are and where you can get them.

This flyer explains the process of getting sealants. It also describes the benefits of sealants and at what age children should get them. Some information is specific to the state of Maine.

Audiovisual Resources

THE DENTIST/DENTAL HYGIENIST/DENTAL OFFICE

Web Resources

Print Resources

This brief flyer covers why and how often you should take your child to the dentist. It also offers tips on how to make your child comfortable visiting the dentist.

Audiovisual Resources

Diabetes and Oral Health Problems

Web Resources

Print Resources

Fluoride AND PLAQUE

Web Resources

This website defines what plaque is and gives step by step instructions on how to floss and brush your teeth.

Print Resources

This brief flyer explains what fluoride is, what it does and where to get it.

This flyer discusses ways to get fluoride through water, in tablets, drops, or in vitamins. Some information is specific to the state of Maine.

GENERAL ORAL HEALTH CARE

Web Resources

This website briefly explains why we need teeth and gums, the dangers of cavities and gum disease, and how to brush and floss your teeth to keep them healthy.

This website provides brief directions on how to brush and floss your teeth.     

Print Resources

This cartoon book uses humor to discuss toothpaste, plaque, and tartar. It illustrates how to brush properly.

This brief flyer defines what a cavity is, what causes them, and how to prevent them.

Audiovisual Resources

Gum Disease

Web Resources

Print Resources

This flyer provides a checklist to see if you have gum disease. It also explains what causes gum disease and how to prevent it.

This flyer explains how gum problems can affect your unborn baby and what you can do to prevent these problems.

Mouth Disorders

Web Resources

This website explains what dry mouth is, what causes it and how it is treated. The text size, contrast and speech may be adjusted.

Print Resources

This flyer defines what dry mouth is and offers tips on what you can do to treat dry mouth.

Mouthguards

Web Resources

This website instructs you on what safety gear to wear to keep your teeth safe. It also contains a listing of the kinds of things you should keep in a dental first aid kit in case of emergency.

Print Resources

This flyer explains who should wear mouthguards and how to choose the right mouthguard. It also shows that the cost of mouthguards is less than the expense of treating dental injuries.

Nutrition

Web Resources

This website offers a short quiz that will help you learn how to take care of your baby's teeth. It includes questions on the best fluids for your baby to drink, when you should take your baby off the bottle, and the importance of baby teeth.

Audiovisual Resources

oral cancer and tobacco use

Web Resources

Print Resources

This brief flyer highlights the dangers of using spit tobacco.

Audiovisual Resources

Oral Health Care for Infants and Children

Web Resources

This website explains the importance of breastfeeding for giving your baby strong teeth and jaws.

This website shows how to brush and floss and other ways to keep your mouth safe and clean, such as eating healthy and visiting the dentist.

Print Resources

This book is divided into four stages of life: infancy, early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence. For each stage, information on proper oral health care is provided. The infancy stage covers how to make teething easier and how to prevent tooth decay. The early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence stages cover how to prevent tooth decay, how to protect the teeth from injury, and things to discuss with your dentist.

This flyer teaches about the importance of starting good dental habits early. It describes proper brushing and flossing and stresses the importance of a healthy diet and regular checkups.

This brief flyer explains what baby bottle tooth decay is, what causes it and how to prevent it.

This brief flyer explains the development of baby teeth and why they are important.

This brief flyer explains how to keep infants, toddlers, and young children's teeth clean.

This flyer explains what baby bottle tooth decay is, the problems it can cause, and how to prevent these problems from happening.

This flyer demonstrates how to properly brush and floss. It also explains the importance of baby teeth, fluoride, low sugar snacks and drinks, and regular dental checkups.

This flyer shows the development of a baby's teeth. It offers tips on how to make teething easier and how to prevent tooth decay.

This brochure discusses how to properly floss and brush your child's teeth. It also discusses giving your child healthy foods and the importance of taking of your child to the dentist.

Audiovisual Resources