Mark D Macek1, Kathryn A Atchison2, William Wells3, Don Haynes3, Ruth M Parker4, Haiyan Chen1. 1. Department of Dental Public Health, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland (Baltimore), MD, USA. 2. Division of Public Health and Community Dentistry, University of California at Los Angeles School of Dentistry, CA, USA. 3. Schaefer Center for Public Policy, University of Baltimore, MD, USA. 4. Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, GA, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Medicare does not usually include a dental benefit. Adults who are unaware of this fact risk unanticipated expenses after retirement. This report will explore the sociodemographic and oral health literacy determinants of this knowledge. METHODS: Data came from the Multi-Site Oral Health Literacy Research Study, a survey of patients presenting to two university dental clinics. Sociodemographic descriptors included age, sex, race/ethnicity, education level, and dental insurance status. Oral health literacy was measured by the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine and Dentistry (REALM-D). RESULTS: Only 34 percent of respondents knew the correct answer to the Medicare question. Knowledge was significantly associated with age, race/ethnicity, education level (bivariate only), and REALM-D score. CONCLUSIONS: Policymakers and those assisting in Medicare enrollment should ensure information regarding dental coverage is communicated in ways that individuals of varying literacy, language, and culture understand what is necessary to make appropriate decisions.
OBJECTIVES: Medicare does not usually include a dental benefit. Adults who are unaware of this fact risk unanticipated expenses after retirement. This report will explore the sociodemographic and oral health literacy determinants of this knowledge. METHODS: Data came from the Multi-Site Oral Health Literacy Research Study, a survey of patients presenting to two university dental clinics. Sociodemographic descriptors included age, sex, race/ethnicity, education level, and dental insurance status. Oral health literacy was measured by the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine and Dentistry (REALM-D). RESULTS: Only 34 percent of respondents knew the correct answer to the Medicare question. Knowledge was significantly associated with age, race/ethnicity, education level (bivariate only), and REALM-D score. CONCLUSIONS: Policymakers and those assisting in Medicare enrollment should ensure information regarding dental coverage is communicated in ways that individuals of varying literacy, language, and culture understand what is necessary to make appropriate decisions.
Authors: Richard J Manski; John Moeller; Jody Schimmel; Patricia A St Clair; Haiyan Chen; Larry Magder; John V Pepper Journal: J Public Health Dent Date: 2010 Impact factor: 1.821
Authors: Mark D Macek; Kathryn A Atchison; Maria Rosa Watson; Jennifer Holtzman; William Wells; Bonnie Braun; Linda Aldoory; Diana Messadi; Melanie Gironda; Don Haynes; Ruth M Parker; Haiyan Chen; Susan Coller; Jessica Richards Journal: J Public Health Dent Date: 2016-04-29 Impact factor: 1.821
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