Maternal periodontitis is associated with an increased risk of induced preterm birth due to pre-eclampsia.

IntroductionLittle is known on the prevalence of tooth decay among pregnant women. Better knowledge of tooth decay risk indicators during pregnancy could help to develop follow-up protocols for women at risk, along with better prevention strategies. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of tooth decay and the number of decayed teeth per woman in a large sample of pregnant women in France, and to study associated risk indicators.MethodsA secondary cross-sectional analysis of data from a French multicentre case-control study was performed. The sample was composed of 1094 at-term women of six maternity units. A dental examination was carried out within 2 to 4 days post-partum. Socio-demographic and behavioural characteristics were obtained through a standardised interview with the women. Medical characteristics were obtained from the women’s medical records. Risk indicators associated with tooth decay were identified using a negative binomial hurdle model.Results51.6% of the women had tooth decay. The mean number of decayed teeth among women having at least one was 3.1 (s.d. = 2.8). Having tooth decay was statistically associated with lower age (aOR = 1.58, 95%CI [1.03,2.45]), lower educational level (aOR = 1.53, 95%CI [1.06,2.23]) and dental plaque (aOR = 1.75, 95%CI [1.27,2.41]). The number of decayed teeth was associated with the same risk indicators and with non-French nationality and inadequate prenatal care.DiscussionThe frequency of tooth decay and the number of decayed teeth among pregnant women were high. Oral health promotion programmes must continue to inform women and care providers about the importance of dental care before, during and after pregnancy. Future research should also assess the effectiveness of public policies related to oral health in target populations of pregnant women facing challenging social or economic situations.

Several techniques exist to manage bone defects in patients: bone grafts (autograft, allograft, xenograft), use of synthetic bone substitutes, or use of the products of bone regenerative medicine. Studies generally focus on their efficacy, but few focus on their acceptance. Our objectives were to assess their theoretical acceptance among the French general population, and to identify issues justifying refusals, by mean of an open e-questionnaire. The questionnaire was submitted to a general French population, and explained these techniques in an understandable way. Participants were asked to say whether they would accept or refuse these techniques, specifying why in case of refusal (fear of the technique, ethical reasons, religious reasons). In total, 562 persons participated. Autograft and use of the products of bone regenerative medicine were the most accepted techniques (93.4% and 94.1%, respectively). Xenograft was the least accepted technique (58.2%). Most refusals were due to fear such as failure, pain, infection (autograft 8%, allograft 14.9%, xenograft 25.3%, synthetic bone substitutes 14.6%, and products of bone regenerative medicine 6.8%). Ethical reasons were mostly mentioned for allograft (6.4%) and xenograft (18.3%). Religious reasons were scarcely mentioned, only for xenograft (1.2%). Thus, acceptance of techniques does not seem to be greatly linked to sociodemographic characteristics in France. However, other countries with their own cultural, religious, and population patterns may show different levels of acceptance. This study shows that bone regenerative medicine is a promising research direction, reaching biological and also humanist quality standards, expected to improve the health of patients. Information is still the cornerstone to defuse issues about fear.