The Relationship Between Adults’ Level of Oral Health Literacy and Likelihood of Performing Do-It-Yourself Dental Treatment in Pasay City

Proponent/s Name/s (Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)

• Jacey P. Ting, National University - MOAFollow
• Adelaide Lyka Yvonne I. Margallo, National University - MOAFollow
• Eula Nicole F. Bibal, National University - MOAFollow
• Krystielle Deneese T. Buenaventura, National University - MOAFollow
• Janelle P. Capistrano, National University - MOAFollow
• Althea Lilian C. Jimenez, National University - MOAFollow
• Gilmar Daschell M. Tardaguila, National University - MOAFollow

Document Types

Paper Presentation

Research Theme (for Paper Presentation and Poster Presentation submissions only)

Food, Nutrition, and Health (FNH)

School Name

National University - MOA

Track or Strand

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)

Research Advisor (Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)

Goboy, Joash J.

Start Date

25-6-2026 10:30 AM

End Date

25-6-2026 12:00 PM

Zoom Link/ Room Assignment

https://zoom.us/j/95274188371?pwd=bXhb7DQU3HQbLltdMsVaoT4A5iwGBr.1 Meeting ID: 952 7418 8371 | Passcode: research

Abstract/Executive Summary

Oral health literacy refers to one’s ability to comprehend oral health information. It can influence adults’ decisions regarding oral health problems in which solutions such as the use of Do-It-Yourself (DIY) dental treatments can be considered. This study examined the relationship between adults’ level of oral health literacy and the likelihood of performing DIY dental treatment. This study gathered data from one hundred (100) adults aged 18-65 residing in Pasay City. An online survey was administered using Microsoft Forms with questionnaires adapted from Ponnukumar et al. (2025), which include a 4-point Likert scale of agreement to measure the level of oral health literacy and a 4-point Likert scale of likelihood to measure the likelihood of performing DIY dental treatment. The results show that adults have a high level of oral health literacy (mean score = 3.41 on a 4-point Likert scale) along with a low likelihood of using DIY dental treatments (mean score = 2.07). Using Spearman’s test, the results show that there is a weak positive correlation between oral health literacy and the likelihood of performing DIY dental treatment (p-value = .346 & rho value = 0.095). Since there is no statistically significant relationship between oral health literacy and likelihood of performing DIY dental treatments, further research on other possible factors that could influence oral health decisions, and a more expanded scope of the study is recommended. This may allow for a more accurate analysis of individuals’ considerations regarding DIY dental treatments.

Keywords

Do-It-Yourself (DIY) dental treatments; oral health; oral health literacy; oral care; adults.

Initial Consent for Publication

yes

Statement of Originality

yes