Pregnancy, oral health and dental education: an overview on the northeast of Italy

Abstract

ObjectivesTo evaluate the level of knowledge of pregnant women and puerpers about oral health and prevention during and after gestation.MethodsOne hundred women aged 18–49 years (mean age 33 ± 6 years) were included in this cross-sectional study. An anonymous questionnaire with 24 items related to oral health has been administered during or just after pregnancy. Firstly, answers have been analyzed on the full population and then subdividing the sample on the base of age ranges (G1: 18–25 years, G2: 26–35 years and G3: >35 years) and number of pregnancies (FP: first pregnancy; SP: second or more pregnancies). Parametric tests have been chosen for the statistical analysis; in particular, Anova test for independent samples was used to evaluate differences of baseline demographic characteristics among subgroups G1, G2, G3 while chi-square test was used for FP and SP subgroups. Anova test was also used to intercept differences on answers given to the questionnaire among G1, G2 and G3 group; for FP and SP group was used t-test.ResultsLevel of information and knowledge of the full sample was medium-low and no significant differences have been observed between groups regarding awareness of the own level of the oral hygiene and knowledge of oral care.ConclusionsResults of this survey underline the high necessity of educational programs regarding oral care in pregnant and puerpers women. A strict collaboration between medical figures (dentist, oral hygienist, gynecologist and obstetric) is strongly encouraged to spread the concept of prevention.

Oral hygiene and oral health behavior, periodontal complaints and oral health-related quality of life in pregnant women

“…The current study found much higher values, whereby 54.5% (by dentist) and 71.7% (by gynecologist) rated that they were informed, while the vast majority felt well educated on oral health during pregnancy. The international literature regarding comparable questionnaire-based examinations showed heterogeneous findings, which also indicated a somewhat worse situation than in the current study [22][23][24][25]. A multicentric study in US showed an insufficient knowledge on oral health issues in pregnant women [22].…”

“…This current study has its main strength in the large sample size, which is higher than in comparable national and international studies [20][21][22][23][24][25]. Moreover, the comprehensive use of validated questionnaire-based instruments revealed some new insights into the topic.…”

“…A multicentric study in US showed an insufficient knowledge on oral health issues in pregnant women [22]. Similarly, two Italian studies showed an underestimation of oral health during pregnancy [23,24]. An English survey pointed on a reduced oral health behavior in pregnant women [25].…”

Nutrient intake, oral symptoms, and oral health-related quality of life among antenatal mothers in Sarawak

“…Impaired oral hygiene due to nausea and vomiting, as well as food cravings for sugary food to offset it, further increases antenatal mother's risk of developing dental caries (Sari, Saddki & Yusoff, 2020). Besides that, oestrogen and progesterone enhance vascular permeability, and vascular proliferation could result in the recruitment of more inflammatory cells in the gingival (Costantinides et al, 2020). As a result, the inflammatory response of periodontal tissues to bacteria in dental plaque is exaggerated even to a minimal amount of plaque accumulation (Rathee & Jain, 2022).…”

Fatores Associados ao Pré-Natal Odontológico de Mulheres Brasileiras

“…Entretanto, muitos profissionais não promovem atendimento a esse público, justificando se sentirem inseguros por não obterem conhecimento suficiente sobre o prénatal odontológico e entre diversas atribuições a este fato, destaca-se a falta de conteúdo oferecido na graduação e/ou pós-graduação 5 . Somado a isso, as crenças em mitos e tabus da cultura popular que desaconselham a realização de tratamentos odontológicos durante a gravidez, contribuem para que haja uma aversão ao atendimento por parte das pacientes, neste período 6,7 .…”