Objectives: To describe the relationship between parental oral health literacy and the oral health status of kindergarten children in Hong Kong Methods: A random sample of three hundred and fifteen child/parent dyads was recruited from the kindergartens in Hong Kong Island. An original, validated oral health literacy assessment task: Hong Kong Oral Health Literacy Assessment Task (HKOHLAT) was administered to parents to assess their oral health literacy levels. Children’s oral health status was assessed [dental caries experience- dmft and oral hygiene status- Visible Plaque Index (VPI)]. Results: HKOHLAT scores were significantly correlated with dmft (r=-.27, p<0.001), but there was no correlation between HKOHLAT and VPI (r=.02, p=.70). Conclusions: Based on results from an oral health literacy assessment task, parental oral health literacy was associated with young children’s oral health status in Hong Kong. Acknowledgments: The authors acknowledge the financial support provided by the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong (Ref: 760009). This abstract is based on research that was funded entirely or partially by an outside source: Research Grants Council of Hong Kong (Ref: 760009).

Session: Education Research