BACKGROUND: Oral and systemic problems are common among pregnant women. Routine dental visits are important for the maintenance of optimal oral health which is linked with systemic health. AIM: To evaluate dental care utilization and related factors among pregnant women in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in hospitals and healthcare centers in the cities of Khobar, Dammam, and Qatif in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia. A piloted tested self-administered questionnaire available in Arabic and English languages was distributed among a calculated sample of 341 pregnant women. Pearson's chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: In the study, 270 questionnaires were analyzed giving a response rate of 79.2%. Mean age of the participants was 29 ± 5.9 years. There were 43.7% pregnant women who received dental treatment when they have a dental problem and only 13.7% performed routine dental visit. Half the sample (52.6%) avoided dental visits during pregnancy and dental treatment being unsafe was the most common reason for avoiding dental visits. After adjustment, routine dental visits during pregnancy were 7.38 times higher among Saudis compared with non-Saudis women (p 0.05). The participants who had a negative perception about the safety of dental treatment had significantly lower odds (OR 0.31, p 0.036) of dental attendance for routine dental visits. CONCLUSION: Routine dental visits were low among pregnant women and many visited dentists when they had a dental problem. Negative perception about the safety of dental treatment was associated with reduced regular dental visits during pregnancy. Pregnant women should be educated about the importance of receiving dental care for the maintenance of optimal oral health.

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Objectives This study aimed to investigate hemodynamic changes in healthy adult patients during different dental procedures and evaluate whether these changes were associated with patients' dental anxiety. Materials and Methods A convenience sample of 119 patients of both genders undergoing routine dental care participated in the study. Participants responded to the Arabic version of the modified dental anxiety scale (MDAS) and a self-structured questionnaire. Each patient had their blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation measured at three points: before, during, and after the dental procedure using an electronic sphygmomanometer. MDAS scores were categorized into no anxiety, mild, moderate or severe anxiety, while readings of heart rate and blood pressure were categorized into no change, increased or decreased and either “no change” or “increased” for oxygen saturation. Chi-square test was used to investigate the association between the study variables and a p value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. SPSS version 20 was used in the analysis. Results Mean ( ± standard deviation [SD]) of MDAS was 11.12 ( ±  3.9) an indicative of moderate dental anxiety. No changes in blood pressure, heart rate, or in oxygen saturation were observed on 39.5%, 54.6% and 97.5% among the study participants, respectively. Half of the participants avoided dental care, with dental anxiety being the main reason for that (26.1%). Pattern of dental visits was significantly associated with MDAS scores (p = 0.042). There were significant changes in blood pressure (p = 0.0003), heart rate (p = 0.01) but not in oxygen saturation (p = 0.33). Changes in blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation were not associated with dental anxiety p = 0.15, 0.10, and 0.99, respectively. Conclusion The results of this study indicate that the type of dental procedure may cause dental anxiety and cause hemodynamic changes. Therefore, close monitoring of patients with dental anxiety during the treatment is advised.

Focal dermal hypoplasia (FDH), also known as Goltz syndrome, is a rare syndrome described in the literature. Patchy skin hypoplasia is the most evident sign. Hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, papillomas, limb defects, and orofacial manifestations have also been reported. A 12-year-old Saudi girl with unremarkable family history presented with FDH. The diagnosis was confirmed using a genetic study. Physical examination revealed asymmetrical streaks of vermiculate dermal atrophy, telangiectasia with hyperpigmentation, and hypopigmentation on the left half of the face, trunk, and bilateral extremities. It appears along Blashko lines. No mental impairment was observed. Intraoral examination generalized plaque-induced gingivitis with erythematous gingival hyperplasia. Examination of the teeth showed generalized enamel hypoplasia with abnormal tooth formations, malalignment, microdontia, spacing and tilting, and minimal caries. As reported cases of FDH are rare worldwide, this syndrome is yet to be fully understood. As the manifestation of the syndrome varies among cases, the management of each case is unique. This emphasizes the importance of reporting cases of FDH.