Journal of Korean Society of Dental Hygiene (J Korean Soc Dent Hyg)
Original Article

The association between educational level and the use of oral hygiene devices: based on the 9th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2022)

1Department of Dental Public Health, Graduate School of Clinical Dentistry, Ajou University
2Clinic of Orthodontics, Department of Dentistry, Ajou University School of Medicine

Correspondence to Jeong-Won Shin, Clinic of Orthodontics, Department of Dentistry, Ajou University School of Medicine, 164 World cupro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon , Republic of Korea 16499. Tel: +82-031-219-7215, E-mail: orthoshin@aumc.ac.kr

Volume 26, Number 1, Pages 41–8, February 2026.
J Korean Soc Dent Hyg 2026;26(1):41–8. https://doi.org/10.13065/jksdh.2026.26.1.5
Received on November 27, 2025, Revised on December 19, 2025, Accepted on February 03, 2026, Published on February 28, 2026.
Copyright © 2026 Journal of Korean Society of Dental Hygiene.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0).

Abstract

Objectives: This study examined differences in the use of oral hygiene devices according to education level among Korean adults. Methods: Data from 4,472 adults aged 19 years and older in the 9th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2022) were analyzed using complex sample frequency, the Rao–Scott chi-square test, and multiple logistic regression analyses. Results: The use of oral hygiene devices increased significantly with higher education levels (p<0.001). Individuals who had undergone a dental check-up within the past year showed higher usage across all education groups (p<0.001). However, among adults with a college education or higher, oral hygiene device use showed a declining trend in the older age groups (p<0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that higher education (college or above: odds ratio=2.60; high school: odds ratio =1.87), female sex (odds ratio =1.86), younger age, presence of implants, absence of denture need, and recent dental visits were significant predictors of device use (p<0.001). Conclusions: Education level was significantly associated with the use of oral hygiene devices, along with age, sex, and preventive dental care utilization. Targeted education and improved access to oral hygiene devices that address the specific needs of individuals with lower education levels and older adults should be considered to reduce oral health disparities.

Keywords

Educational status, Health behavior, Oral health, Oral hygiene, Preventive dentistry

Section