Awareness and attitude towards maintenance of oral health during pregnancy among patients and clinicians attending obstetrics and gynecology ward

Abstract

Aim : To assess the oral health status and pH of saliva in pregnant women in comparison to non-pregnant women and to appraise the awareness and attitude towards regular dental checkups and oral health maintenance among patients and clinicians attending a hospital gynecology ward. Study Design: The oral health status and extra-oral manifestations of 220 healthy women,including 110 pregnant women, attending the government hospital, Bhimavaram were considered. The findings were recorded along with a questionnaire and documented in a specially designed proforma. The response to another set of questions answered by 60 clinicians attending the gynecology ward was recorded in a separate proforma. Results: The clinical manifestations showed statistical significance (P = <0.001) values with 91% patients positive for gingivitis and 85% patients with ptyalism during their pregnancy. There were only 14.5% of pregnant women who consulted a dentist for their oral health problems during pregnancy, and only 35% of the clinicians have advised their patients regarding maintenance of good oral hygiene and routine dental checkups during pregnancy. Conclusion: Results show that certain oral manifestations were more prevalent among the pregnant women, and very few expecting mothers know about these changes related to pregnancy and follow maintenance of good oral hygiene and routine dental checkups. Hardly any gynecologists advised these women regarding the maintenance of good oral hygiene during pregnancy. Hence, oral health intervention programs should be targeted to the risk groups.