The role of the gynaecologist in the promotion and maintenance of oral health during pregnancy

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess routine dental examination attendance of pregnant women and a possible impact of gynaecological referrals on the attendance rate. Material and methods:An electronic survey was conducted that was inclusive of women up to 5 years following delivery. The questions related to socio-demographic data, the course of pregnancy and childbirth, and visits to dental office during pregnancy. For statistical analysis, the authors utilized the chi-square test, Spearman's rank correlation coefficient and odds ratios. A significance level of 0.05 has been assumed. Results:A total of 3455 questionnaires were analyzed encompassing women aged 13.1-45.4 years. The respondents were on average 1.78 ± 1.44 years after childbirth. The population comprises of women in 59.1% from large cities, in 74.8% with higher education and in 41% with good socio-economic status. A total of 62.3% of women from the study population have visited a dentist for a routine dental examination. Gynaecologists have given a simple referral to a dentist to 17.6% of all women. 45.9% of them were further requested to provide back the feedback of their dental consultation. Dental appointments were upheld by 87.3% of referred women and by 56.9% of those without a referral (OR = 5.20 (4.05-6.67); p < 0.001). Among those who were referred, dental appointments were upheld in 91.7% of cases when further asked to provide oral health feedback and in 83.5% of cases in absence of such further request (OR = 2.19 (1.3-3.66); p = 0.003). Conclusions:It was determined that referrals from a gynaecologist, and associated oral health feedback requests increase the frequency of abiding to dental appointments during pregnancy. As such, it is necessary to increase the involvement of gynaecologists in the promotion and maintenance of perinatal oral health.

Predictors of dental care use, unmet dental care need, and barriers to unmet need among women: results from NHANES, 2011 to 2016

“…This is concerning since habits and attitude toward oral health are set early in life, hence physicians and OBGYNs attending young women have an opportunity to capitalize on this by integrating oral health as an essential component of reproductive health during the counseling of young women. It has been shown that lack of counseling is a major factor in preventing adequate dental care access and that referral from a gynecologist can increase the frequency of dental appointments . In a population‐based study among pregnant women in California, it was found that college graduates were more likely to report attitudinal barriers and lack of perceived need for dental care during pregnancy as compared to more disadvantaged women …”

“…Using methods recommended by NCHS, the analysis was weighted to provide estimates at the level of the US population . The 2‐year exam sample weights were used to construct weights across the three data cycles.…”

Dental prophylaxis and treatment in pregnant women. Opinion of the working group of the Polish Alliance for a Cavity-Free Future on dental prophylaxis in pregnant women

“…Badania ankietowe 3439 Polek w okresie 5 lat od porodu pokazały, jak ważna jest rola lekarza prowadzącego ciążę w zwiększaniu odsetka kobiet ciężarnych korzystających z opieki stomatologicznej -skierowanie przez ginekologa znacząco zwiększało szanse zgłoszenia się do lekarza dentysty (OR = 5,20 (4,05-6,67); p < 0,001). Jeszcze większą skuteczność wykazano przy jednoczesnym żądaniu od lekarza dentysty pisemnej odpowiedzi zwrotnej o stanie zdrowia jamy ustnej (OR = 2,19 (1,66); p = 0,003) (17,18). Równie ważna jest edukacja prozdrowotna kobiet, która wpływa na zmianę niewłaściwych zachowań pacjentek sprzyjających próchnicy zębów oraz chorobom przyzębia i błony śluzowej jamy ustnej zarówno u kobiet, jak i u przyszłego potomstwa.…”

“…Udzielanie informacji na temat zasad dotyczących profilaktyki przeciwpróchnicowej oraz chorób przyzębia powinno spoczywać na lekarzu dentyście lub higienistce stomatologicznej, natomiast wprowadzenie w życie i stosowanie ich w codziennych zabiegach zależą od stopnia zrozumienia problemu oraz sumienności pacjentek (11)(12)(13). Wśród czynników wpływających na zgłaszalność się do dentysty na świecie wymieniane są: regularne korzystanie z opieki stomatologa przed ciążą, poziom wiedzy o zdrowiu jamy ustnej i jego wpływie na przebieg ciąży i dziecko oraz poczucie, że leczenie stomatologiczne w ciąży jest bezpieczne (14)(15)(16)(17)(18).…”

Jordanian women’s (studying or working in medical fields) awareness in terms of the use of dental imaging during pregnancy

“…Some organizations, such as the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Dental Association, report that it is possible for pregnant women to take dental imaging radiographs during any trimester of their pregnancy period. However, they assume that this is possible only by using and applying the measurements of radiation protection to hold the dose amount as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) [ 1 – 7 ]. The shortage of knowledge relating to the protection of dental radiographs prevents pregnant women from searching for dental pathologies for treatment.…”