Abstract
Background: this study aimed to develop and pilot test the model of care, Grinnin’ Up Mums & Bubs, to train Aboriginal Health Workers to promote oral health among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pregnant women. Methods: Participatory Action Research was employed to develop the different components of the model (oral health promotion resources, training workshop, and a culturally safe referral pathway to dental services). The model was piloted (pre-post), using an embedded mixed-methods design, to determine the acceptability, satisfaction, and any recommendations made by seven Aboriginal Health Workers at an antenatal service in Western Sydney, Australia. Results: there was a high level of satisfaction with the components of the model of care among the participants, who believed that the model could be integrated into practice. The training showed some improvement in oral health knowledge and confidence. The participants recommended strategies for discussing oral health with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pregnant women, and changes in public health dental policy to ensure that all women would be able to access affordable dental services through the referral pathway. Conclusion: the findings suggest a high level of satisfaction with the model of care among the Aboriginal Health Workers. Further evaluation is needed to confirm the short and long-term impact of the model.
Highlights
Maintaining good maternal oral health during pregnancy is important for both the mother and the child [1]
Satisfaction with the training: “it built on my existing oral health knowledge”
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic limited the sample size, the findings revealed a high level of acceptability and satisfaction with the components of the model of care among the Aboriginal Health Workers, who discussed how the model could be integrated into practice
Summary
Maintaining good maternal oral health during pregnancy is important for both the mother and the child [1]. Children are more likely to have poorer oral health across the lifespan if the mother has poor oral health [2,3]. A lack of timely oral health education for mothers may contribute to oral health or feeding behaviours in children that precipitate dental decay during early childhood [2]. There is a link between poor maternal oral health during pregnancy and an increased risk of adverse birth outcomes, such as low birth weight or pre-term birth [4]. As women have numerous other priorities during pregnancy, oral health tends to be overlooked even in countries with robust healthcare systems, such as Australia. One study found that only about a third of pregnant women living in Western Sydney accessed the dentist in the last six months [5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
