Assessment of reading level and content adequacy of oral cancer educational materials from USAF dental clinics.
BACKGROUND
The threat of oral cancer has generated growing concern among the military health community that its beneficiaries have access to appropriate printed health materials. This study addresses the reading level and content adequacy of printed oral cancer literature collected from 82 United States Air Force (USAF) dental clinics.


METHODS
Materials were subjected to a readability formula and information content analysis.


RESULTS
Readability ranged from 7th to 13th grade, consistent with the lowest grade level (high school) required for USAF personnel. Adequacy of the content of materials was highly variable.


CONCLUSIONS
Few oral cancer items were retrieved, most were old, and many included misleading or incorrect information.
Mongeau
Susan W
SW
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-6401, USA.
Horowitz
Alice
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D003752:Dental Health Services; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011932:Reading; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D013664:Teaching Materials; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology