Letramento em saúde bucal e sua associação com a valoração de serviços odontológicos

Abstract

Health literacy pertains to an individual's autonomy in acquiring, processing, and using health information in their daily life. Along with socioeconomic factors, health literacy can influence how much an individual values and is willing to pay for different types of dental treatments. The aim of the study is to investigate the association of oral health literacy and socioeconomic factors with the valuation of dental services. A quantitative and analytical study was conducted with an observational cross-sectional design, involving a total of 314 adults. The dependent variable was the valuation of dental services. Oral health literacy was the primary independent variable. Socioeconomic factors (gender, age, income, education level, marital status) were considered secondary variables for model adjustment. Data were collected using a validated pre-structured digital questionnaire, covering topics of Oral Health Literacy, Willingness to Pay, and socioeconomic factors, using the Google Forms platform. The questionnaire was shared with participants through a link sent in WhatsApp groups. Participants were invited to share it with others in their social circle, employing a snowball sampling methodology. For the valuation of oral health, measured by willingness to pay, the contingent valuation method was used, where volunteers were asked how much they would pay for various dental procedures (endodontic treatment for single-rooted teeth, endodontic treatment for multi-rooted teeth and complex extractions, implants, fixed prostheses, removable complete dentures, and removable partial dentures). For Oral Health Literacy, the Health Literacy In Dentistry (HeLD-14) questionnaire, adapted and validated for the Brazilian population, was used. Data analysis included cluster analysis for Willingness to Pay and Oral Health Literacy variables, followed by a correlation matrix for the variables. Subsequently, a multiple Poisson regression analysis adjusted for socioeconomic variables was performed. In the adjusted regression model, oral health literacy and its respective domains showed a statistical association with willingness to pay for toothache treatment and root canal treatment. It was found that higher health literacy was associated with greater willingness to pay for these treatments (HeLD-14 Total Score: OR=1.02, 95% CI: 1.02-1.021, p<0.001). Health literacy was also positively associated with willingness to pay for rehabilitative treatment (HeLD-14 Total Score: OR=1.015, 95% CI: 1.015-1.016, p<0.001). It was concluded that Oral Health Literacy is associated with the valuation of dental services.