Prenatal dental care: evaluation of professional knowledge of obstetricians and dentists in the cities of Londrina/PR and Bauru/SP, Brazil, 2004

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the current knowledge and recommendations of obstetricians and dentists as to the dental care to pregnant patients in the cities of Londrina/PR and Bauru/SP, Brazil. Questionnaires were distributed to professionals of both cities, arguing on the following issues: oral health during pregnancy; contact between prenatal care and dental care providers; prenatal fluoride supplementation; selection of therapeutic agents for local anesthesia, pain control and treatment of infection; and dental procedures that can be performed during each trimester. Data were analyzed by frequency of responses and statistical analyses were carried out using X2 (type of workplace/service) and t test (time since graduation), significant if p<0.05. Seventy-nine obstetricians and 37 dentists responded the questionnaires. Most physicians referred the patient to dental care only when a source of dental problem was mentioned, limiting the adoption of a preventive approach. Forty-three percent of dentists and 34% of obstetricians did not know the potential contribution of periodontal infection as a risk factor for preterm low birth-weight babies. There was divergence from scientific literature as to the recommendation of local anesthetics (dentists and obstetricians), prenatal fluoride supplementation (obstetricians) and dental radiographs (dentists). The findings of this survey with dentists and obstetricians showed that dental management during pregnancy still presents some deviations from scientific literature recommendations, indicating the need to update these health care professionals in order to establish guidelines for prenatal dental care.

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

“…16 The others general, prenatal care practitioners and dentists appear to be globally less aware of this link. 16,19,22,29 Interestingly, our results showed that less experienced obstetricians/gynecologists were less conscious of such a relationship than more experienced practitioners. Similarly, a study that assessed knowledge of physicians on interactions between periodontal disease and diabetes showed that experience is associate with a better knowledge on periodontal diseases -systemic interactions.…”

Knowledge, attitude, practice of dental surgeons regarding dental radiographs in pregnant women in the city of Karachi

“…Forty six (17.4%) of the dental surgeons were in a practice to take diagnostic radiograph in third trimester.Braimoh O et al [19] reported that 48(64.9%) of the dental surgeons knew that dental radiograph could be taken at any trimester in pregnancy and 44 (60%) of dental surgeons knew the best time to take dental radiograph was the second trimester of pregnancy. Zanata et al [20] reported that 16.2% and 37.8%, of the dental surgeons knew that dental radiograph was safe throughout in pregnancy and is best taken in second trimester.…”

“…Zanata et al [20] reported that 38.7% of dental surgeons indicated that all types of radiography should be taken after the first trimester and only 25.5% of dental surgeons correctly knew that radiography is better to be postponed until the second trimester of pregnancy and that only 16.2% of dental surgeons allowed women for dental radiography throughout their pregnancy.About 89.1% of dental surgeons acknowledged the feasibility of three types of radiography on the condition that the safety rules are observed.…”

Programa Rede Mãe Paranaense: Análise Da Atenção Pré-Natal Em Uma Regional De Saúde

“…Durante a gestação, ocorre maior vascularização da cavidade oral devido à elevação nos níveis de progesterona e estrogênio, ocasionando o aumento da permeabilidade vascular e alterações na produção de colágeno, tornando a gengiva mais suscetível a infecções e ao biofilme bacteriano (19) . Essa condição também torna a gestante vulnerável a outros acometimentos, como diabetes mellitus gestacional (20) .…”