Oral Health Literacy and Periodontal Status Among Turkish Adults

NCT07341945 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: 2024-BİAEK/12-142024-BIAEK/12-14
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 108
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This observational cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between oral health literacy (OHL) and periodontal status among adult individuals attending Biruni University Faculty of Dentistry, Istanbul, Türkiye. A total of 108 adults were evaluated using the Turkish version of the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Dentistry (TREALD-30) to assess OHL levels. Periodontal examination included probing depth, clinical attachment level, bleeding on probing, and plaque index. The study sought to determine whether lower OHL levels are associated with poorer periodontal health and to highlight the importance of improving health literacy in oral disease prevention and management.

Conditions

Periodontal Diseases; Oral Health Literacy; Periodontitis; Health Behaviour; Health Education

Keywords

Periodontitis, Health Behaviour, Oral Hygiene, Socioeconomic Status, Health Education, Smoking.

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Association between oral health literacy and periodontal status

  The primary outcome is the relationship between oral health literacy, measured by the Turkish version of the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Dentistry (TREALD-30), and periodontal status based on the 2018 World Workshop classification. Periodontal parameters include probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and bleeding on probing (BOP).

  Baseline (single examination at enrollment)

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Association between oral health literacy and demographic factors

  Single time point (baseline examination)

• Relationship between oral health literacy and smoking status

  Single time point (baseline examination)

• Association between oral health literacy and oral hygiene behaviors

  Single time point (baseline examination)

Study Arms (1)

Adult Participants

A single observational group including adult individuals who attended Biruni University Faculty of Dentistry, Istanbul, Türkiye. All participants underwent a full-mouth periodontal examination and completed the Turkish version of the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Dentistry (TREALD-30) questionnaire. No intervention or treatment was provided as part of the study.

Other: Observational Assessment

Interventions

Observational Assessment OTHER

No intervention was performed. Participants underwent a non-invasive periodontal examination and completed the Turkish version of the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Dentistry (TREALD-30) questionnaire to assess oral health literacy.

Adult Participants

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study included 108 systemically healthy adults aged 18 years or older who attended the Periodontology Clinic of Biruni University Faculty of Dentistry, Istanbul, Türkiye. Participants were native Turkish speakers, able to read and understand Turkish, and provided informed consent. Each participant completed the Turkish version of the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Dentistry (TREALD-30) to assess oral health literacy. Periodontal examinations were performed by a calibrated periodontist and included probing depth, clinical attachment level, bleeding on probing, and plaque index measurements. Individuals with systemic diseases, fewer than 20 teeth, or cognitive or literacy limitations preventing questionnaire completion were excluded.

You may qualify if:

• Systemically healthy adults aged 18 years or older
• Ability to read and understand Turkish
• Voluntary agreement to participate in the study

You may not qualify if:

• Individuals with fewer than 20 teeth
• History of periodontal treatment within the past 6 months
• Presence of systemic diseases affecting periodontal health
• Individuals with mental retardation, cognitive impairment, or inability to complete the questionnaire due to illiteracy or communication difficulties

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Biruni University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Biruni University Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Periodontology

Istanbul, Istanbul, 34010, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Periodontal Diseases; Periodontitis; Health Education; Smoking

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mouth Diseases; Stomatognathic Diseases; Adherence Interventions; Medication Adherence; Patient Compliance; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Treatment Adherence and Compliance; Health Behavior; Behavior

Study Officials

• Burcu Karaduman, DDS, PhD

  Biruni University Faculty of Dentistry

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 6, 2026
• First Posted: January 15, 2026
• Study Start: September 1, 2021
• Primary Completion: June 30, 2022
• Study Completion: July 31, 2024
• Last Updated: January 15, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)