Digital Health Literacy and Oral Health Prevention Behaviors Among Generation Z Dental Technicians: A Cross-Sectional Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69855/mgj.v3i2.591Keywords:
Digital Health Literacy, eHEALS, Oral Health Preventive Behavior, Dental TechnicianAbstract
Background: Digital transformation has increased public access to health information through various online platforms. Purpose: This study aimed to identify the level of digital health literacy, assess preventive oral health behaviour, and analyse the relationship between digital health literacy and preventive oral health behaviour among Generation Z dental technicians. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among 120 Generation Z dental technicians and dental technology students in West Jakarta using purposive sampling. Data were collected from January to March 2026 through an online survey. Digital health literacy was measured using the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS), while preventive oral health behaviour was assessed using a structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Spearman’s rank correlation test with a significance level of 0.05. Results: Most respondents had moderate digital health literacy (53.3%) and adequate preventive oral health behaviour (55.0%). A significant positive correlation was found between digital health literacy and preventive oral health behaviour (r = 0.462; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Digital health literacy is significantly associated with preventive oral health behaviour among Generation Z dental technicians. Integrating digital health literacy into dental vocational education may support evidence-based decision-making and promote sustainable preventive oral health practices.
References
Altas, Z. M., Sezerol, M. A., Halac, S., & Aslan, M. N. (2025). The relationship between oral and dental health literacy and health-seeking behaviors: a multicenter community-based study. BMC Public Health, 25(1), 3650–3650. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-24904-5
Alzahrani, A. Y., El Meligy, O., Bahdila, D., Aljawi, R., Bamashmous, N. O., & Almushayt, A. (2024). Health and oral health literacy: A comprehensive literature review from theory to practice. International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry, 35(2). https://doi.org/10.1111/ipd.13255
Cetin, M., & Gumus, R. (2023). Research into the relationship between digital health literacy and healthy lifestyle behaviors: an intergenerational comparison. Frontiers in Public Health, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1259412
Chan, C. C. K., Chan, A. K. Y., Chu, C. H., & Tsang, Y. C. (2023). Theory-based behavioral change interventions to improve periodontal health. Frontiers in Oral Health, 4. https://doi.org/10.3389/froh.2023.1067092
Fini, M. B., Ryu, Y., Mahaffey, C. C., Rhoads, K. E., & Han, H. (2023). Preventive Dental Behaviors among U. S. College Students: Application of the Health Belief Model. American Journal of Health Behavior, 47(6), 1246–1257. https://doi.org/10.5993/ajhb.47.6.17
Ghalavand, H., Panahi, S., & Nouri, M. (2025). Opportunities and challenges of social media for oral health literacy improvement: a qualitative investigation based on Iranian dentists’ perspectives. BMC Health Services Research, 25(1), 673. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12845-z
Hakeem, F. F., Abdouh, I., Hamadallah, H. H., Alarabi, Y. O., Almuzaini, A. S., Abdullah, M., & Altarjami, A. A. (2023). The Association between Electronic Health Literacy and Oral Health Outcomes among Dental Patients in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study. Healthcare, 11(12), 1804–1804. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11121804
Jiao, W., Chang, A., Ho, M., Lu, Q., Liu, M. T., & Schulz, P. J. (2023). Predicting and Empowering Health for Generation Z by Comparing Health Information Seeking and Digital Health Literacy: Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 25(1), e47595. https://doi.org/10.2196/47595
Lopez, M. del P. A., Ong, B. A., Borrat Frigola, X., Fernández, A. L., Hicklent, R. S., Obeles, A. J. T., Rocimo, A. M., & Celi, L. A. (2023). Digital literacy as a new determinant of health: A scoping review. PLOS Digital Health, 2(10), e0000279. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pdig.0000279
Macek, M. D., Atchison, K., & Adunola, F. (2025). Oral Health Literacy and Dental Caries Status in Adults. Journal of Public Health Dentistry, 85(4), 432–439. https://doi.org/10.1111/jphd.70006
Saini, R. S., Chopra, S., Assiri, Y. A., Alhamoudi, F. H., Vaddamanu, S. K., Chaturvedi, M., Kuruniyan, M. S., Banakar, M., & Heboyan, A. (2025). Impact of mHealth and eHealth on oral health literacy: A systematic review. DIGITAL HEALTH, 11. https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076251360955
Wiener, R. C., & Abuhalimeh, B. J. (2025). Evaluating adult digital health literacy, 2020–2025: A systematic review. PLOS Digital Health, 4(11). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pdig.0001075
World Health Organization. (2021). Global strategy on digital health 2020-2025. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240020924
World Health Organization. (2022, November 18). Global oral health status report: towards universal health coverage for oral health by 2030. Www.who.int. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240061484
Yuen, E., Winter, N., Savira, F., Huggins, C. E., Nguyen, L., Cooper, P., Peeters, A., Anderson, K., Bhoyroo, R., Crowe, S., & Ugalde, A. (2023). Digital health literacy and its association with sociodemographic characteristics, health resource use and health outcomes: A rapid review (Preprint). Interactive Journal of Medical Research, 13. https://doi.org/10.2196/46888
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Miracle Get Journal
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
