Oral Health Knowledge and Related Factors among Pregnant Women Attending to a Primary Care Center in Spain

Abstract

Our aim was to assess the knowledge of pregnant women in terms of oral health and prevention, correlating it with socio-sanitary and educational factors, as well as self-care and oral health state referred. A total of 139 women from a Health Department in Comunidad Valenciana (Valencia, Spain) participated in the study. They underwent an auto-administered survey which included socio-economic and educational factors, self-care in terms of oral hygiene, referred oral health state, and general knowledge on prevention and oral health. Chi-squared test (χ2 test) and ANOVA (p < 0.05) were performed for the analysis. Variables significantly associated with general knowledge were included in a logistic regression analysis. Variables which explained general knowledge in terms of oral health were Spanish nationality (Exp B = 3.59 p = 0.017), secondary/bachelor or equivalent level of education (Exp B = 0.23 p = 0.010), medium or high level of self-care (Exp B = 0.146 p = 0.024 and Exp B = 0.208 p = 0.046, respectively), and medium or high knowledge on prevention (Exp B = 0.092 p = 0.003 and Exp B = 0.280 p = 0.017, respectively). Level of education, nationality, self-care, and knowledge on prevention and oral health were the factors that determined a greater level of general knowledge on oral health from the pregnant women.

Systematic Review of the Literature on Dental Caries and Periodontal Disease in Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Individuals

“…The prevalence of caries was expressed in the six types of disadvantaged subjects, starting in the description with those most affected, such as prisoners with 77% ([95% CI 66–85%]; 803 participants, three studies, I 2 = 90%) [ 22 , 23 , 24 ], elderly people with 62% ([95% CI 50–73%]; 38,133 participants, 24 studies, I 2 = 99.7%) [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 ] ( Figure 2 ), alcohol and drug abusers with 60% ([95% CI 56–64]; 592 participants, two studies, I 2 = not assessable) [ 49 , 50 ], immigrants with 65% ([95% CI 18–99%]; 878 participants, three studies, I 2 = 99.1%) [ 39 , 51 , 52 ], followed by pregnant women with 29% ([95% CI 8–56%]; 506 participants, three studies, I 2 = 97.4%) [ 53 , 54 , 55 ]. All groups showed high scores of prevalence.…”

“…Gingivitis was noted in six different types of disadvantaged individuals, two of which showed the highest prevalence, such as alcohol and drug abusers with 82% ([95% CI 43–100%]; 357 patients, three studies, I 2 98.8%) [ 71 , 72 , 75 ] and prisoners with 63% ([95% CI 54–72%]; 802 patients, three studies) [ 22 , 23 , 24 ]. High prevalence values were also found in pregnant women with 41% ([95% CI 34–49%]; 2242 participants, nine studies) [ 53 , 54 , 55 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 ] ( Figure 3 ) and the elderly with 41% ([95% CI 29–52%];11,048 participants, 15 studies) [ 26 , 28 , 35 , 39 , 43 , 47 , 65 , 66 , 81 , 89 , 90 , 91 , 92 , 93 , 94 ]. Lower prevalence values were found in subjects with low levels of education (19% [95% CI 18–19%]; 75,095 participants, two studies, I 2 = not assessable) [ 95 , 96 ] and low income (19% [95% CI 18–19]; 54,593 participants, two studies, I 2 = 0.00) [ 93 , 94 ] and in immigrants (15% [95% CI 12–18%]; 746 participants, two studies, I 2 = 0.00) [ 39 , 51 ].…”

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Spanish Midwives and Midwifery Students toward Oral Healthcare during Pregnancy

“…Regardless of the different reasons referred to in the literature that may contribute to the low demand for dental care during pregnancy, such as the lack of knowledge of the impact that the mother’s oral health can have on the child [ 11 , 12 , 13 ] or the false belief that dental treatments are not safe during pregnancy [ 11 , 13 , 14 , 15 ], amongst others, all the responsibility for oral health of the pregnant women does not rest with the dentist [ 16 ]. To target this problem and given its efficiency [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ], oral health during gestation and the postpartum period should be promoted by a multidisciplinary team, with midwives playing an important role, given their close contact with pregnant women during the prenatal visits until after they have given birth [ 3 , 21 ]. However, it is not known if these healthcare professionals have the necessary knowledge to monitor the oral healthcare of pregnant women.…”

Atenção Pré-Natal Na Perspectiva Da Rede Mãe Paranaense

“…Diversas mudanças fisiológicas são percebidas na gestante, deste modo, justifica-se a necessidade de pelo menos duas consultas odontológicas durante a gravidez, para que ela receba orientações e tratamentos oportunos de desconfortos e possa prevenir agravos como as infecções. Pesquisadores descrevem que a procura por consultas odontológicas no período gestacional ainda se encontra insipiente e poucos estudos são realizados para verificar a baixa adesão (18) , contudo, o nível educacional, nacionalidade, autocuidado e conhecimento sobre saúde oral são fatores determinantes para a adesão ao cuidado em mulheres grávidas (19) . Rev Norte Mineira de enferm.…”