Qualitative exploration of barriers and facilitators of dental service utilization of pregnant women: A triangulation approach

Abstract

BackgroundPregnant women are vulnerable to a wide range of oral health conditions that could be harmful to their own health and future child. Despite the usefulness of regular dental service utilization in prevention and early detection of oral diseases, it is notably low among pregnant women. In this qualitative study, we aimed to explore barriers and facilitators influencing pregnant women’s dental service utilization.MethodsUsing a triangulation approach, we included pregnant women (n = 22) from two public health centers, midwives (n = 8) and dentists (n = 12) from 12 other public centers in Tehran (Iran). Data was gathered through face-to-face semi-structured interviewing and focus group discussion methods. The analysis of qualitative data was performed using conventional content analysis with MAXQDA10 software.ResultsReported barriers of dental service utilization among pregnant women were categorized under emerging themes: Lack of knowledge and misbelief, cost of dental care, physiological changes, fear and other psychological conditions, time constraint, dentists’ unwillingness to accept pregnant women treatment, cultural taboos and lack of interprofessional collaboration. Solutions proposed by dentists, midwives and pregnant women to improve dental care utilization during pregnancy were categorized under three themes: Provision of knowledge, financial support and establishing supportive policies.ConclusionsUnderstanding perceived barriers of dental service utilization during pregnancy can serve as baseline information for planning and formulating appropriate oral health education, financial support, and legislations tailored for lower income pregnant women, midwives and dentists in countries with developing oral health care system.

Interprofessional Collaboration and Smartphone Use as Promising Strategies to Improve Prenatal Oral Health Care Utilization among US Underserved Women – Results from a Qualitative Study

“…A survey among 625 women (a predominantly Caucasian population of relatively high socioeconomic status) living in Johnson County, Iowa, revealed that increased prenatal dental visits were associated with being married, having more frequent dentist visits when not pregnant, having dental insurance, and knowledge of the possible connection between oral health and pregnancy outcomes [13]. Similar effects have been reported globally: Australian [14,15] and Iranian pregnant women [16] reported that the barriers to utilization of prenatal dental care utilization included lack of knowledge, false beliefs, cost, fear, the limited number of dentists providing care to pregnant women, and inadequate recommendations from health professionals.…”

Interprofessional Collaboration and Smartphone Use as Promising Strategies to Improve Prenatal Oral Health Care Utilization among US Underserved Women – Results From A Qualitative Study

“…A survey among 625 women (a predominantly Caucasian population of relatively high socioeconomic status) living in Johnson County, Iowa, revealed that increased prenatal dental visits were associated with being married, having more frequent dentist visits when not pregnant, having dental insurance, and knowledge of the possible connection between oral health and pregnancy outcomes [14]. Similar effects have been reported globally: Australian [15,16] and Iranian pregnant women [17] reported that the barriers to utilization of prenatal dental care utilization included lack of knowledge, false beliefs, cost, fear, the limited number of dentists providing care to pregnant women, and inadequate recommendations from health professionals.…”

Capacitação sobre o pré-natal odontológico para profissionais da equipe de saúde: relato de experiência

“…Ferramentas como esta são muito importantes para ampliar o conhecimento dos profissionais envolvidos nos serviços e, consequentemente, dos próprios pacientes (Lee & Moon, 2016). Ainda, considerando a baixa adesão das gestantes ao pré-natal odontológico (Bahramian, Mohebbi, Khami & Quinorez., 2018;George et al, 2018), torna-se fundamental o trabalho integrado entre os profissionais envolvidos com o pré-natal, no intuito de que eles através de um conhecimento ampliado sobre o tema, também possam incentivar as gestantes a aderir ao acompanhamento odontológico durante a gestação, considerando a sua importância para o bem estar da mãe e do bebê.…”