Gingivitis
In the present study used three measures of readability, there are many other methods that could have been used and some that were not appropriate for many of our materials. For example, the SAM method (Suitability Assessment of Materials), used by Kang was not appropriate because many of the materials reviewed contained less than 100 words. The smog and measures were selected for their simplicity and widespread use. However, these formulas based analyzes provide information on only one facet of his reading. The formatting of text, for example, font size, use of the typeface, the use of bullets, simplified sentences, and use pictures or diagrams all contribute to its overall readability. The nursing and pharmacy staff have been using other formula-based readability analyzes years to help develop more readable patient education brochures, it’s time dentistry followed suit.
Health, Evita la Gingivitis Con Higiene Dental
Our content analysis of educational materials identified instances of conflicting information, and specific opportunities for the high quality of written information to countering the messages of the media. Specifically, most brochures suggested parents use a “pea-size” amount of toothpaste to clean a child’s teeth – a booklet called for a “rice-sized” amount. In the market, however, the amount is represented by a thick tape width toothpaste – these messages are unclear.
The graphics and photographs can be used effectively to convey the correct information about toothpaste and many other aspects of oral hygiene (eg, how to brush their teeth). As in the studies of Kang and Alexander, the current study identified many missed opportunities for oral hygiene instruction. Visual aids to model and reinforce behaviors would improve pediatric dental-specific publications that can help clarify the written information. Furthermore, the effectiveness of paper pamphlets compared with other forms of patient education materials, for example, web pages, videos, remains to be determined. With the new recommendations for children to the dentist within the first six months, and establish a dental “home” of their first year (from the AAPD, research to facilitate the creation of health education materials is needed for a new patient group – Parents of infants and very young children. Materials that are concise, consistent, comprehensive, and are an easy way to bridge the gap of communication between provider, parent, and pediatric patient.
The recognition of health, oral health, and literacy as an important link in patient compliance and overall health is relatively new. In medicine, health literacy guidelines now exist to help improve patient-provider communication, dentistry is not far behind.
Research and interest in oral health literacy are flourishing. And while welcomed, is still unknown whether the improvement of materials for patient education can improve health outcomes. Studies have shown that improving the literacy of the population is independently correlated with better health status. This aspect of health literacy calls for further investigation.
Oral health literacy has important implications for the practice of dentistry. Dentists can choose the most suitable materials for the population of patients based on usability parameters, ie, readability, and content, and can use this and other documents for readability to select the publications that the favorable performance grade reading (FKGL < Grade 5). One consideration that might help dentists in the proper selection of publications is the printing of the Flesch-Kincaid grade level in the pamphlet itself, or in advertising materials. This would be an effective way for authors of oral health educational materials to work with health care providers to educate the dental patient population.