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Figure 3. Radiographic images - full mouth series of a 17-year-old patient.

quality of life for children, as improved behavior and oral health
literacy among parental guardians directly influence children’s
oral health.
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The studies acknowledge that beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge are
influenced by formal education. While increasing the formal edu-
cation of parental guardians is a challenging health intervention,
altering the health knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of parental
guardians is more feasible. It begins with oral health professionals
understanding the significance of oral health literacy.
3
Recommendations: Recognizing the importance of oral health
literacy can enhance individual oral health, ultimately improving
Figure 4. Radiographic image – panoramic image of a the oral health conditions of future generations. Dental providers
17-year-old patient. should begin by educating parental guardians about oral health.
Despite undergoing multiple treatments, additional procedures Conclusion: There is a complex association between oral health
have been planned due to the patient’s ongoing poor oral hygiene literacy and childhood caries, influenced by various factors and
and limited oral health literacy. Previous studies have shown the pathways. Further understanding of parental guardian knowledge,
significant impact of the oral health of deciduous teeth on the oral attitudes, and beliefs is essential for oral health professionals to
health of permanent teeth. This suggests that the current state positively impact these factors and improve oral health literacy.
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of the patient’s decayed permanent teeth could have had a more Oral health literacy is vital and should be emphasized by all pro-
favorable outcome had he received better care for his deciduous viders.
teeth as a child. If this is the case, it can be inferred that improved
oral health literacy among the patient’s parental guardians could Acknowledgments: The authors sincerely express their gratitude
have positively influenced the patient’s oral health during child- to Dr. Lucretia Depaola-Cefola, Group Practice Director of the
hood and, consequently, the condition of his permanent teeth. Taylor Society in the General Dentistry & Comprehensive Care
Department at NYU College of Dentistry, for her guidance and en-
While this review recognizes that parental guardian oral health lit- couragement throughout this study. The authors also wish to thank
eracy is only one factor among many contributing to a child’s oral Dr. Analia Veitz-Keenan, Student Faculty at NYU College of Den-
health, improving this literacy could significantly impact a child’s tistry and President of the NY State Academy of General Dentistry,
overall oral health outcomes. Dental professionals cannot reverse for her assistance in selecting and directing this review.
the current oral health conditions of this patient, but they can ed-
ucate both the patient and his parental guardians about the impor- References
tance of oral health, which may affect not only the patient’s future 1. “Health Literacy in Dentistry.” American Dental Association, www.
oral health but also that of his future children. ada.org/en/resources/community-initiatives/health-literacy-in-dentistry.
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Accessed 12 Jan. 2024.
By understanding the importance of oral health, individuals can 2. White, S., and McCloskey, M. (forthcoming). Framework for the 2003
improve their oral hygiene habits, leading to better overall health National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NCES 2005-531). U.S. Department
outcomes. This shift towards preventive care is crucial in reduc- of Education. Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics.
ing the prevalence of dental caries across all age groups, includ- 3. Hooley, M., Skouteris, H., Boganin, C., Satur, J., & Kilpatrick, N.
ing children, adolescents, and adults. Enhancing the education of (2012). Parental influence and the development of dental caries in chil-
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parental guardians may positively impact the oral health-related dren aged 0–6 years: A systematic review of the literature. Journal of Den-
tistry, 40(11), 873-885.
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