Abstract

Aim: To assess the pregnant women’s knowledge, oral hygiene practices, perceived barriers and perceptions towards their oral health.

Study Design: Cross-sectional

Place and Duration of Study: Railway hospital, Rawalpindi between July and September 2017.

Methods: Overall 290 pregnant women participated in interview administered questionnaire based survey. The questionnaire consisted of 31 questions in six subsections. The questions were related to demographics, oral hygiene habits, oral health status, perceptions, and knowledge regarding oral health. Data were analysed by utilizing both in chi-square test and descriptive statistics.

Results: The total of 260 questionnaires were analysed. Thirty questionnaires were discarded because of missing data. Note that 38.9% of women reported current oral health problems, nevertheless, more than 75% did not consult the dentist. The major barriers in the utilization of oral healthcare service were treatment cost and low priorty for oral health. Only 26.2% of the pregnant women knew that dental treatment is safe during pregnancy and 11.9% were aware of the correct timing of baby’s first dental visit. Significant correlation of the dental visits in the preceding six months was noted with perceived oral health status and information received about oral health care during pregnancy.

Conclusions: The study noted low priorty for oral health during pregnancy and cost of dental treatment as the main barriers in seeking the dental treatment during pregnanacy. The expectant mothers were lacking in knowledge regarding infant oral health and importance of oral health during pregnancy. Therefore, the dental health education by the media and antenatal care should be promoted.

Keywords: Oral health, Knowledge, Perception, Pregnancy.