Association between seeking oral health information online and knowledge in adults with spinal cord injury: A pilot study

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2011 · DOI: 10.1179/2045772311Y.0000000020 · Published: January 1, 2011

Spinal Cord Injury Oral Health Telehealth & Digital Health

Simple Explanation

Adults with spinal cord injuries (SCI) often face oral health challenges due to dry mouth caused by medications, difficulties in accessing dental care, and reduced hand function for oral hygiene. The study found that adults with SCI who search for oral health information online are more likely to have better oral health knowledge. This suggests that online resources could be a useful way for dental professionals to provide additional education and support to their patients with SCI.

Study Duration

6 Months

Participants

192 adults with spinal cord injury

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
About 12% of the respondents searched oral health information online in the past 12 months.
2
Respondents who searched for oral health information online in the past 12 months have 3.4 times the odds of possessing adequate oral health knowledge.
3
No significant associations were found between searching for oral health information online and engaging in various oral health behaviors.

Research Summary

This study investigated the association between seeking oral health information online and oral health knowledge and behaviors among adults with spinal cord injury (SCI). The study found a significant association between seeking oral health information online and adequate oral health knowledge, suggesting that the internet may be a valuable resource for oral health education for this population. The authors suggest that dental health professionals can supplement their patient education by directing them to high-quality websites for more information regarding a particular oral health issue or problem.

Practical Implications

Supplemental Education

Dental health professionals can use the internet to supplement traditional education methods by directing patients to high-quality websites.

Preventive Oral Care

The internet can be a potential way to educate individuals with SCI on preventive oral care, especially given the barriers to dental care access.

Targeted Interventions

Future studies should explore the influence of online oral health information on oral health care products or services purchased by adults with SCI.

Study Limitations

1
The sample in this study is a convenience sample which may or may not represent the SCI population
2
the demographic characteristics (gender, race, education, and age) of the SCI respondents in the present study are similar to those reported in Matter et al.
3
the Internet can be a potential way to educate this population on preventive oral care.

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