Pregnant Patient Knowledge of and Obstetric Provider Advice on Oral Health

Abstract

Research suggests pregnant women and obstetric providers possess inadequate knowledge about dental care that leads to underutilization of perinatal dental serviceS.Objectives: To examine the relationship between obstetric providers (OP) giving oral health advice to pregnant women and pregnant women's self-reported oral health awareness and behaviors (e.g., visiting dentist).Methods: Surveys were completed by 237 pregnant or post partum patients and 31 OPs from 12 outpatient obstetric practices located throughout the United StateS.Results: Only 21.8% of the patients reported receiving encouragement from their OP to see a dentist while pregnant and 44.4% were told the importance of good oral health during pregnancy. Patients who received both encouragement to see a dentist and were told about the importance of good oral health were six times (OR=6.3, 95% CI = 2.1-19.1) more likely to pay more attention to their oral health. These patients were also about four times (OR=4.4, 95% CI = 1.9-10.2) more likely to have visited or planned to visit their dentist. Conclusion:Obstetric provider advice can have a positive impact on awareness of oral health in pregnant women. Time should be afforded within obstetric curriculums to address oral health conditions in pregnant patientS. Further research should be done to determine how best to address this issue to improve oral health care throughout pregnancy.

Integrating a Nurse‐Midwife‐Led Oral Health Intervention Into CenteringPregnancy Prenatal Care: Results of a Pilot Study

“…17 A study of pregnant or postpartum women found that only about 20% of women reported that their obstetric provider advised them to visit a dentist while pregnant and fewer than 50% were told the importance of good oral health. 18 Those who were encouraged to see a dentist were more likely to pay attention to their oral health during pregnancy, supporting the importance of the provider’s advice.…”

“…A recent small study of maternity care providers found that although most providers had knowledge about the mother‐to‐infant vertical transmission of caries‐causing bacteria, fewer than 50% referred their patients for dental care or conducted oral examinations . A study of pregnant or postpartum women found that

only about 20% of women reported that their maternity care provider advised them to visit a dentist while pregnant, and fewer than 50% were told the importance of good oral health . Those who were encouraged to see a dentist were more likely to pay attention to their oral health during pregnancy, supporting the importance of the provider's advice.…”

Odontologų, Akušerių Ir Nėščiųjų Suvokimo Bei Žinių Apie Burnos Ligų Gydymą Bei Profilaktiką Nėštumo Metu Įvertinimas Kauno Mieste

“…Remiantis 2013 m. Amerikoje atlikto tyrimo rezultatais, pacientai, kuriems akušeriai patarė apsilankyti pas odontologą ir informavo apie geros burnos sveikatos svarbą, buvo šešis kartus labiau linkę daugiau dėmesio skirti savo burnos sveikatai. Taip pat keturis kartus labiau tikėti-na, kad šie pacientai apsilankė ar planuoja apsilankyti pas odontologą [17]. Tačiau galima teigti, jog tiek Amerikoje, tiek Europoje bendradarbiavimas tarp sveikatos priežiūros specialistų yra nepakankamas [17,18].…”

“…Taip pat keturis kartus labiau tikėti-na, kad šie pacientai apsilankė ar planuoja apsilankyti pas odontologą [17]. Tačiau galima teigti, jog tiek Amerikoje, tiek Europoje bendradarbiavimas tarp sveikatos priežiūros specialistų yra nepakankamas [17,18]. 2015 m. Prancūzi-joje atlikto tyrimo rezultatai atskleidžia, kad tik 26,3 proc.…”

Considerations of the Pregnant Dental Patient

“…However, encouragement by an obstetric provider of healthy behaviors increases a pregnant woman's likeliness to actually do the healthy behavior [9][10][11][12][13]. Once a pregnant woman visits the dentist, it is imperative to be cognizant of the status of both patients-mother and fetus.…”