Correlates of Oral Health Conditions and Oral Health Literacy Among a Sample of Patients With Cardiovascular Disease: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: Oral health literacy (OHL) and dental health indicators in people with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are important health conditions that have been less investigated in this group of patients. The aim of the present study was to evaluate oral health conditions and OHL in adult patients with cardiovascular conditions who referred to dental clinics in southwest, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Ahvaz, Iran in ۲۰۲۱-۲۰۲۲. The oral and dental health status and literacy of ۳۰۲ people were investigated, and data were collected using a standard questionnaire about OHL (with dimensions of comprehension and calculation ability), as well as demographic and medical information. Then, the patients were clinically examined by a dentist to determine oral health indicators (Decayed, missing, and filled teeth: DMFT) and oral health index (OHI-S). Finally, data were analyzed using SPSS, version ۲۲. Results: The mean DMFT was ۱۱.۰۶±۳.۵۵. According to the OHI-S, ۱۲۴ (۴۱.۱%), ۷۵ (۲۴.۸%), and ۱۰۳ (۳۴.۱%) people were categorized in mean, good, and poor oral health levels, respectively. Pearson’s correlation coefficient demonstrated a direct, strong, and significant relationship between age and DMFT and OHI (r=۰.۷۰۲, r=۰.۶۷۸ P<۰.۰۰۱). The relationship between understanding ability and DMFT and OHI was inversely correlated (r=-۰.۳۸۹, r=-۰.۲۷۸, P<۰.۰۰۱), and the relationship between calculation ability and OHI, as well as between calculation ability and DMFT was inverse and significant ((r=-۰.۵۷۲, P<۰.۰۰۱) and r=-۰.۴۲۹, P<۰.۰۰۱, respectively). Conclusion: The results showed that there is a relationship between OHL and OHI in people with CVD, although it is not in a favorable condition. As a result, the design, implementation, and evaluation of oral health education programs for patients with CVD are highly recommended, and it is imperative that oral and dental health be carefully monitored in these patients.