Perceptions, knowledge and practices related to oral health in a group of pregnant women: A qualitative study

Abstract

Background It is known that the prevalence of dental caries and periodontal disease is increasing in pregnant women. Dental care is sufficient to prevent oral diseases and perform timely interventions. However, few pregnant women go to the dental office during this period due to a lack of knowledge. The perceptions, knowledge and oral health practices of pregnant women have been scarcely explored and should be taken into account to propose assertive interventions in this population.Aims To identify and explore the perceptions, knowledge, and practices in oral health in a group of pregnant women in Colombia.Methods Twenty-four semistructured interviews were conducted in different areas of Colombia. The interviews were conducted via telephone, and the calls were recorded with the consent of the participants. The recordings were transcribed in Word and checked for typing and transcription errors. The transcripts were analyzed using a hybrid approach combining inductive and deductive coding. The information was organized and encoded using NVivo12 software. We followed the SRQR checklist.Results Pregnant women reported having good oral health. One limitation mentioned for occupation was pregnancy. The appearance of the oral cavity has not negatively affected the relationships of the pregnant women.Conclusions The pregnant women had good oral hygiene habits but did not receive dental check-ups. Knowledge in this group was limited and diverse. The information given by health professionals should be standardized, and some beliefs should be demystified.