Dental health dispositions of pregnant women: A survey from a hospital clinic in Istanbul

Abstract

Dental hygienic habits should be maintained in pregnancy despite challenges. We aimed to study the dental attitudes and habits of pregnant women. The patients attending our hospital clinic were invited to fill out a structured questionnaire categorised into three major domains: (1) general oral hygiene status, (2) dental habits, and (3) dental attandence both during pregnancy and prior to pregnancy. Four hundred and seventy four women agreed to participate. Mean age of participants was 28 (18-43). While 184 (38%) women reported brushing twice a day, only 98 (20%) women claimed using floss and or mouth rinse. Fifty-nine (12.4%) women had a dental visit in their current pregnancy and 24 (5.1%) received professional treatment. Obstetric care givers should convey the importance of dental care to their patients. We suggest that dental health should be improved antenatally, and be assessed in detail by dental health care providers. Impact Statement Poor oral health conditions have shown to be associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, especially in low-income countries and regions. There is escalating evidence to support the lack of awareness among pregnant women about health consequences and long term risks associated with poor oral hygiene. Our results showed that dental hygienic practices of pregnant women are disconcerting in Turkey. The need for inter-professional collaboration among obstetric healthcare providers and dental specialistis is crucial for conveying to women the importance of dental care in pregnancy and beyond.

Oral health care practice of women with pregnancy experience

“…6 As many as 83.72% of 129 pregnant women go to the dentist purely because of their own's will, while only very few of them get direction from their family (Table 3). These results were slightly different from the research conducted by Karasu et al 8 which stated that during their pregnancy. 59 of women with pregnancy experience (12.4%) had a dental visit during their pregnancy, and 24 of them (5.1%) had a professional treatment.…”

Bir Türk Alt Popülasyonunda Gebelerin Ağız, Diş Sağlığı Alışkanlıkları ve Diş Tedavilerine Yaklaşımları: Bir Anket Çalışması

“…A study conducted in the USA indicated that only less than half of the pregnant women went to the dentist during their pregnancy (13). In a study conducted in India, 62.5% of pregnant women reported that dental treatments must be performed before pregnancy and they avoided dental treatments during pregnancy (15). Studies conducted in different regions of Turkey report that the rates of going to the dentist during pregnancy are 12.4% and 28.3% (15,16).…”

A importância do pré-natal odontológico na saúde bucal do bebê / The importance of dental prenatal in baby's oral health

“…Gupta e Ramos-gomez3 (2017) comentam sobre a maior eficiência na redução da transmissão de Streptococcus mutans e cárie em crianças pequenas das intervenções clínicas e educacionais maternas no período gestacional ou logo após o parto. Essas intervenções incluem além da educação, orientações e entrevistas motivacionais à gestante, o atendimento odontológico e uso de fluoretos ou agentes antimicrobianos para reduzir os seus níveis bacterianos.…”