Oral Health in Pregnant Chinese Women in Singapore: A Call to Go beyond the Traditional Clinical Care

Abstract

Objective: To examine the correlations among oral health knowledge, attitude, practices and oral disease among pregnant Chinese women in Singapore. Methods: A descriptive correlational study was conducted in pregnant Chinese women in Singapore. A questionnaire was used to collect data of oral health knowledge, attitude and practices. Plaque index scores were used to assess the oral health of subjects. Results: A total of 82 pregnant women participated in the study, out of whom 38% showed adequate oral health knowledge, nearly half of them achieved adequate and oral health attitude and practice scores while 34% had good Plaque index scores. The lower income group had higher experience of self-reported dental problems during pregnancy than those in the higher income group (p = 0.03). There were significant positive correlations between scores of oral health practice, attitude and oral health knowledge levels. The plaque index scores negatively correlated with the oral health practice scores (p = 0.02). Conclusions: Our findings provided evidence that oral health knowledge, attitude and practices among Chinese pregnant women were not optimal which implies the importance of promoting their oral health during pregnancy through the improvement of knowledge and attitudes. This would facilitate formulation and implementation of appropriate oral health promotion policies.

Enjoo decorrente da higienização dentária e condição periodontal de mulheres grávidas

“…Considerando que a saúde bucal é indissociável da saúde geral 9,29,30 , e mudanças fi siológicas e imunológicas infl uenciam nas alterações da cavidade bucal, os cuidados prénatais odontológicos são de grande relevância para saúde materno-infantil 31,32 . Embora o referenciamento esteja previsto nas normativas do Ministério da saúde, o acesso à atenção odontológica ainda é baixo, se comparado à atenção médica 29,33 .…”

Sociodemographic Disparities and Self-reported Oral Health Problems Associated with Pregnancy: A Case-control Study in Morocco

“…Numerous population-based surveys of pregnant women report low utilization of dental care and disparities by sociodemographic characteristics. Actually, Care-seeking and utilization are influenced by factors at the personal provider, and environmental levels that include: financial resources and insurance; health literacy regarding knowledge of insurance eligibility; need for care, and perceptions of the importance and value of oral health; the availability of care; access to care; and provider knowledge or comfort in treating pregnant women (8,15,18,23,28).…”

“…Pregnancy is a state of progressive physical, psychological, and hormonal changes (6,7). Poor oral health during pregnancy may due to a limited attention to oral hygiene, leading to an increasing physical and emotional demands (8). Poor oral hygiene, increased acidity in the oral cavity, sugary dietary and hormonal changes increase the risk of developing oral health problems such as dental decay, gingivitis or gingival inflammation and periodontitis (8)(9)(10).…”

“…Poor oral health during pregnancy may due to a limited attention to oral hygiene, leading to an increasing physical and emotional demands (8). Poor oral hygiene, increased acidity in the oral cavity, sugary dietary and hormonal changes increase the risk of developing oral health problems such as dental decay, gingivitis or gingival inflammation and periodontitis (8)(9)(10). Increased levels of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus may increase the risk of tooth decay amongst Pregnant women (11).…”

“…Gingivitis is an inflammatory disease affecting the supporting tissues of the tooth (9). As well as associated with pregnancy, gingivitis is initially occurred by dental plaque and after aggravated by steroid hormones essentially progesterone and a decreased immune response (8). Around 60% to 75% of pregnant women have gingivitis, and near half of pregnant women in the United States have periodontitis which correspond to gingivitis with gingival recession accompanied by loss of connective tissue and alveolar bone (8,12).…”