Assessment of Knowledge, Perception, Attitude, and Practices of Expectant and Lactating Mothers regarding their own as well as their Infants’ Oral Health in Qassim Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objectives: Assessing knowledge, perception, attitude, and practices of pregnant/lactating mothers concerning their own and their infants' oral health in relation to their oral health status and educational level. Materials and methods: Anonymous self-administered questionnaire, 317 completed it, response rate = 90.57%. It constituted sections for demography, evaluating oral health knowledge during pregnancy/postpartum, saliva-sharing behavior of mother with baby, infant-feeding practices, and perception of oral health knowledge and attitudes. Oral health condition was measured using decayed, missing, and filling, papillary, marginal, and attached gingiva, and simplified oral hygiene indices. Four scores were constructed from participants' responses to interpret results. Results: Fair oral hygiene, moderate gingivitis, and caries index was the oral health status, with negative correlation with educational level. About 66.88% had poor perception and practices toward their oral health during pregnancy, with significant difference and negative correlation with oral health status. Significant difference (P<0.001) & positive correlation was detected regarding knowledge about causes of oral/ dental problems and oral health attitude in relation to level of education with 58.68% poor knowledge and negative attitude. Above three quarters had poor knowledge and practices and negative attitude for their infants' oral health, with significant result and positive correlation with educational level. Poor perception (54.26%) was recorded regarding causes of oral/ dental diseases, methods of tooth cleaning, and types and benefits of using toothpaste in relation to oral health status with a significant difference and negative correlation. Conclusion: Data revealed that expectant and lactating mothers had poor knowledge, perception and practices, and negative attitude toward their oral health during pregnancy and postpartum as well as their children's oral health.

Self-perception on oral health and related behaviours among antenatal mothers attending a public antenatal clinic – Kerala

“…Antenatal mothers reported poor knowledge about deciduous teeth as they believed that caring for the primary teeth is unimportant, as it will eventually shed off. [ 14 15 ]…”

“…The most common self-reported problem was tooth ache whereas oral clinical examination recorded a high prevalence of dental caries, similar to the findings concluded by Norkhafizah Sedki in Malaysia. [ 15 ] Frequent snacking of refined carbohydrates and delay in dental treatment could be the reason for high prevalence of untreated dental caries.…”