Oral Health Literacy Scale (OHLS)

The Oral Health Literacy Scale (OHLS) is an assessment tool measuring patients' ability to understand, process, and act on oral health information. Originally developed as part of health literacy research by Rushton and colleagues, the OHLS evaluates comprehension of dental terminology, oral disease prevention concepts, and informed consent for dental treatment. The OHLS bridges communication gaps in dental care, identifying patients who may have difficulty understanding clinical explanations and treatment options, and enabling tailored patient education.