Oral Health Literacy Resources

Health literacy is the ability to find, read, understand, and act on health care information. Health literacy in dental practice can lead to better preventive care, reduced treatment anxiety, and improved health outcomes (NIH).

By fostering clear communications, dental practices can bridge the gap to help their patients make informed decisions about their dental care and treatment options, to help improve their oral and overall health.

Use the resources listed below from the California Oral Health Technical Assistance Center to help assess your practice and implement changes at your own pace to create an oral health-literate environment.

• Oral Health Literacy Toolkit
• Practice Assessment Checklist
• Oral Health Literacy Action Plan
• Oral Health Literacy: Be part of the Change! Journal of Dental Hygiene

Research has shown that low oral health literacy can lead to poor oral hygiene practices, inadequate preventive care, and a tendency to rely on emergency services for dental issues, thereby exacerbating existing health problems (West Coast University Journal of Health and Wellness).

Training in health literacy provides the knowledge and skills to communicate with patients using plain language and cultural competence. It is essential for anyone working in health information and services.

Whether you are new to health literacy, need a refresher, or want to train your entire staff, visit the health literacy training resource links below.

• Oral Health Literacy Basics and Toolkit-Center for Healthy Communities, Office of Oral Health
• Online Health Literacy Trainings and Additional Training Resources – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Teach-Back Technique Practice Booklet (Booklet in Spanish) (Booklet in Chinese) – California Oral Health Technical Assistance Center
• Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit-Agency for Healthcare, Research, and Quality

Plain language guides, visual aids, and interactive tools can empower patients to make informed treatment decisions, optimize at-home care, and confidently navigate the dental care system.

Accessing credible, culturally sensitive educational materials is highly effective for improving patient outcomes.

Visit the resource links below to access materials to improve health communication and bridge the gap between complex dental terminology and patient understanding, leading to better oral hygiene habits and healthy outcomes.

• Print Material and Downloads-Health Resources & Services Administration
• Partners and Providers: Materials for Medi-Cal Members-Smile, California
• Oral Health Educational Materials for Consumers-National Maternal and Child Oral Health
• Toolkit for Managed Care Health Plan (MCHP) Dental Liasons and Community Health Workers (CHWs)-Smile, California