Abstract
BackgroundThe objective of this study was to analyse the readability of paediatric oral health education leaflets available in Australia.MethodsForty paediatric oral health education materials were analysed for general readability according to the following parameters: Thoroughness; Textual framework; Terminology; and Readability (Flesch-Kincaid grade level (FKGL), Gunning Fog index (Fog) and Simplified Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG)).ResultsLeaflets produced by the industry were among the hardest to read with an average readability at the 8th grade (8.4 ± 0.1). The readability of leaflets produced by the commercial sector was at the 7th grade (7.1 ± 1.7) and the government at the 6th grade (6.3 ± 1.9). The FKGL consistently yielded readabilities 2 grades below the Fog and SMOG indexes. In the content analyses, 14 essential paediatric oral health topics were noted and Early Childhood Caries (ECC) was identified as the most commonly used jargon term.ConclusionPaediatric oral health education materials are readily available, yet their quality and readability vary widely and may be difficult to read for disadvantaged populations in Australia. A redesign of these leaflets while taking literacy into consideration is suggested.
Highlights
The objective of this study was to analyse the readability of paediatric oral health education leaflets available in Australia
Content analyses Fourteen paediatric oral health topics were noted from the leaflets
As noted in this study, many paediatric oral health leaflets exist in Australia, they vary in content and readability
Summary
The objective of this study was to analyse the readability of paediatric oral health education leaflets available in Australia. Dental caries in children is an international public health problem [1]. Despite improvements in oral health over the last 20 years, dental caries is identified as one of the most prevalent chronic diseases of childhood especially for those from a disadvantaged background [2,3,4]. The most recent Child Dental Health Survey of Australia in 2007 reported that 46 percent of the 6-year-olds had one or more decayed, missing or filled primary tooth and 10 percent of those examined were found to have 10 primary teeth affected [5]. It is essential to prevent childhood caries before the subsequent need of resource intensive clinical interventions and treatments
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