Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p>Background The utilization of dental services is influenced by various demographic and individual factors, including health literacy, which is defined as the ability to comprehend, analyze, and utilize health-related information. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between health literacy and the utilization of dental services as well as oral health status among high school students in Hamedan and Saveh cities. Methods The present study is a descriptive-analytical, cross-sectional study. The study population consisted of high school students in the cities of Hamedan and Saveh. To assess health literacy and the utilization of dental services, a health literacy and dental service utilization questionnaire was used. The oral and dental health status of the study participants was evaluated based on dental caries (DMFT index), gingival health (CPI index), and oral hygiene (SOHI index). Results Based on the study findings, health literacy has no significant relationship with the dental caries index (DMFT with a mean of 2.36) (P > 0.05), but it has an inverse relationship with gingival health index (CPI with a mean of 1.77) (P < 0.001) and oral hygiene index (SOHI with a mean of 1.32) (P = 0.003). On the other hand, health literacy showed a direct and significant relationship with the rate of utilization of dental services (P < 0.001). However, increased utilization of services was only associated with an increase in DMFT (P < 0.001) and had no significant effect on improving CPI and SOHI. Conclusions Designing targeted educational programs for self-care and prevention of gingival diseases, as well as integrating health literacy into the public education system and school health, can help improve the oral and dental health status of high school students.</p>