Obstetricians' knowledge of periodontal disease as a potential risk factor for preterm delivery and low birth weight

Abstract

There is little information about the knowledge and attitudes of physicians regarding oral care. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes of obstetricians about the relationship between periodontal disease and preterm/low birth weight. A questionnaire was emailed to members of the Brazilian Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FEBRASGO). The questionnaire elicited both personal information and knowledge and attitudes regarding the relationship between periodontal diseases and preterm labor. A total of 875 obstetricians responded to the questionnaire. The majority of respondents were female (54.1%), resided in the Southeast (45.6%), worked in both the public and private sectors (61.4%), and had over 15 years of experience in obstetrics (48.9%). A large proportion of obstetricians (93.4%) stated that bacteria were associated with periodontal disease, and 94% reported that periodontitis was a condition more severe than gingivitis. In total, over 80% of participating obstetricians reported smoking, preeclampsia, bacterial vaginosis and periodontal disease as risk factors or possible risk factors for preterm birth or low birth weight. A correlation between the experience of the obstetricians and referral of their patients for dental examinations (p < 0.001) was observed. Also, obstetricians who had had their own dental visits more recently were more likely to recommend the same for their patients (p < 0.001). It is concluded that, although obstetricians were aware of the association between gingival inflammation and adverse obstetric outcomes, the attitudes of these professionals were not in agreement with their apparent knowledge regarding periodontal diseases and their possible repercussions.

Knowledge of medical doctors in Turkey about the relationship between periodontal disease and systemic health

“…This finding is not in accordance with the findings of Rocha et al 28 who reported that the length of time in practice among obstetricians was positively correlated with the frequency of recommendation for dental examinations during pregnancy. This discrepancy may be explained by differences in study populations and years in practice.…”

“…21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28 The low reponse rate (22.2%) which is typical of other mailed questionnaire-based studies of medical practitioners, 29,30 could be considered a limitation of the present study but one point should be born in mind that, no strategy like sending reminder and second mail for increasing responses to the questionnaires was used. Another limitation was that the self-reported questionnaire might lead to bias in the answers given by the medical doctors.…”

Obstetric Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavior Concerning Periodontal Diseases and Treatment Needs in Pregnancy: Influencing Factors in France

“…20 were included in the model. Then, logistic regressions were used to check for association between a 0-1 item (binary variable) of the questionnaire and multiple qualitatives and quantitatives covariables.…”

Uzman Tip Heki̇mleri̇ni̇n Peri̇odontal Durum Ve Si̇stemi̇k Hastalik Arasindaki̇ İli̇şki̇ İle İlgi̇li̇ Farkindalik Ve Yaklaşimlarinin Değerlendi̇ri̇lmesi̇

“…Literatüre bakıldığında, veri toplama çalıĢmala-rında, verileri elden 11,21 veya elektronik ortamda 12,13,23,27,28 elde eden çalıĢmaların mevcut olduğu gö-rülmektedir. Bizim çalıĢmamızda, anketler tek bir araĢ-tırmacı tarafından hekimlere elden dağıtılıp toplandı.…”

“…'nın çalıĢması ile benzerlik göstermektedir. 28 ÇalıĢmamızda uzmanların periodontal hastalık ve gebelik komplikasyonları ile ilgili farkındalıkları yüksekken, gebeliğin ciddi komplikasyonlarından biri olan ve literatürde periodontal hastalıkla iliĢkisine dair verilerin bulunduğu 5,30 preeklemsiyi periodontal hastalıkla iliĢkilendirme oranlarının oldukça düĢük olması çeliĢkilidir. Ancak diğer çalıĢmalarda da bulgular benzerdir.…”