Abstract
ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate pregnant women's knowledge and perception of oral practices as well as their relationship with periodontal disease. Methods The project was developed in 27 units of the Family Health Strategy in the city of Picos, State of Piauí, Brazil, whose service prioritized providing the first dental appointment for pregnant women. A questionnaire was applied to 302 pregnant women, and a calibrated examiner (Kappa=0.96) performed the intraoral exam (CPI). Results the disease was present in 90.7% of them, although 96.4% had been to the dentist once, the majority have not seen a dentist during pregnancy, either because they feared the treatment would harm the baby, or lack of perceiving the need for doing so. Among those that had seen a dentist, did so because of pain or due to routine dental appointments. (19.9%). The belief that pregnancy could cause oral problems was mentioned by 39.7%, however, the majority (98.3%) stated they had received no guidance in this period, a fact which was shown to be associated with periodontal disease (p=0.0003). Conclusion It was concluded that there had been disease prevalence in the group, becoming persistent throughout pregnancy and also that the women presented many oral health care doubts during their gestational period.
Highlights
Pregnancy causes hormonal alterations which can lead to an increased risk of developing oral diseases[1]
It was concluded that there had been disease prevalence in the group, becoming persistent throughout pregnancy and that the women presented many oral health care doubts during their gestational period
Objetivo Avaliar o conhecimento, as práticas e a percepção em saúde bucal de gestantes e a sua relação com a doença periodontal
Summary
Pregnancy causes hormonal alterations which can lead to an increased risk of developing oral diseases[1] These changes, such as increased levels of estrogen and progesterone and eating habits added to oral hygiene neglect can implicate in increased risk of diseases such as caries and periodontal disease[2,3]. The main reasons were reported as follows: the uncertainty regarding treatment during pregnancy, risks concerning fetus formation and the low o perception of treatment needs On top of these they reported: fear of the dentist, the possibility of feeling pain and discomfort, the dental high speed drilling noise as well as the belief that pain is a pregnancy associated fact. Some dentists’ fear in assisting pregnant women cause these dental professionals to often postpone treatment for the post-natal period, which can lead to oral health deterioration and injury both pregnant woman’s and baby’s health[7]
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