Oral Health Behaviours, Knowledge, and Literacy of Expectant Mothers: A Cross-Sectional Study among Maternity Ward Patients

Assessment of women's needs and wishes regarding interprofessional guidance on oral health in pregnancy - a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Poor oral and dental health due to oral dysbiosis during pregnancy increases the risk for negative pregnancy outcomes. Communicating the importance of oral health is therefore essential in reducing the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Professional guidance could substantially support women's positive perception of their own competence. Information on oral health should be provided by healthcare professionals such as midwives, obstetricians and dentists. The aim of this study was to assess the needs, wishes and preferences of pregnant women in Germany, regarding interprofessional collaboration and guidance on oral health during pregnancy.

METHODS

Sources of information, preferences regarding information supply as well as the need for interprofessional collaboration of involved healthcare professions were investigated in six online focus groups with pregnant women. In addition, three expert interviews with a midwife, an obstetrician and a dentist were conducted. The focus groups and interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis according to Kuckartz.

RESULTS

25 pregnant women participated in focus groups. Pregnant women in all trimesters, aged 23 to 38 years, were included. Many women did not receive any or received insufficient information on oral health during pregnancy and wished for more consistent and written information from all involved healthcare providers. The extent of oral health counselling women received, heavily relied on their personal initiative and many would have appreciated learning about the scientific connection between oral health and pregnancy outcomes. An overall uncertainty about the timing and safety of a dental visit during pregnancy was identified. Interviews with experts provided additional insights into the working conditions of the involved healthcare professionals in counselling and emphasised the need for improved training on oral health during pregnancy in their respective professional education as well as thematic billing options in relation to this topic.

CONCLUSION

Guidance of women on oral health during pregnancy appears to be insufficient. Providing information adapted to the needs, wishes and preferences of women during pregnancy as well as the implementation of this topic in the education of involved healthcare professionals could contribute to an improved prenatal care for pregnant women and subsequently a reduced risk of negative pregnancy outcomes.

Leveraging Dental Stem Cells for Oral Health during Pregnancy: A Concise Review

Pregnancy induces significant changes in oral health because of hormonal fluctuations, making it a crucial period for preventive measures. Dental stem cells (DSCs), particularly those derived from the dental pulp and periodontal ligaments, offer promising avenues for regenerative therapies and, possibly, preventive interventions. While the use of DSCs already includes various applications in regenerative dentistry in the general population, their use during pregnancy requires careful consideration. This review explores recent advancements, challenges, and prospects in using DSCs to address oral health issues, possibly during pregnancy. Critical aspects of the responsible use of DSCs in pregnant women are discussed, including safety, ethical issues, regulatory frameworks, and the need for interdisciplinary collaborations. We aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of leveraging DSCs to improve maternal oral health.

Polish pregnant women's knowledge on early childhood caries prevention and oral hygiene in children

BACKGROUND

Early childhood caries (ECC) is one of the most common chronic diseases among children. In Poland 86.9% of six-year-olds have ECC. One of the factors determining adherence to ECC prophylaxis and oral hygiene is mothers' knowledge. The aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge demonstrated by pregnant women about ECC prevention and oral hygiene, and to analyse the determinants of this knowledge.

METHODS

A quantitative survey was conducted using Computer Assisted Telephone Interview technique on a randomly selected representative sample of 1,000 women over the age of 18 in their second and third trimesters of pregnancy. The significance level was established at 0.05 and p-values were presented as: p < 0.05, p < 0.01 and p < 0.001.

RESULTS

The highest percentage of wrong or "I don't know" answers were related to questions about: the number of free dental check-ups for children (76.8%), the date of the child's first visit to the dentist (66.5%), the age when the child has mixed dentition (72.2%). Women with higher education had better knowledge than women with lower or secondary education. Women with good and very good financial situation showed a higher level of knowledge compared to women with average, bad and very bad financial situation.

CONCLUSIONS

When developing prevention strategies and educational programs as part of prenatal care for women to reduce the incidence of ECC, it is important to take into account the identified areas that need support and specific target groups (mothers with lower socioeconomic status).

Social and Preventive Factors That Explain Oral Health among Pregnant Women in the Canton of Cuenca, Ecuador

(1) Background: pregnant women in underprivileged areas may face challenges that affect their oral health. The analysis of these issues such as toothaches or cavities, among others could be crucial for them. However, no studies have been conducted in Cuenca, Ecuador. Thus, this study aimed to create a model explaining how social factors and healthy habits impact oral health in Cuenca, Ecuador. (2) Methods: An observational study was performed using a questionnaire developed from scratch. Principal component factor analysis was performed to calculate the oral disease index based on the oral health issues reported by women during pregnancy. (3) Results: 1971 women participated in the research. In total, 88% reported at least one oral health problem, with cavities (34%) and bleeding gums (33%) as the most prevalent. The rate of preventive visits and frequent brushing were the two variables that most impacted the oral disease index. The consumption of sweets, age, and the belief that visiting the dentist harms their unborn child were also important factors. However, income, education, and ethnic background showed little to no effect. (4) Conclusions: The most beneficial determinants of oral health factors in pregnant women in Cuenca, Ecuador, are preventive dentist visits, frequent brushing, and a contained consumption of sweets. The main harmful factors are age and the misconception that dental visits can harm their unborn child. Surprisingly, income, education, and ethnic background have little effect. This study can be replicated in other countries and cultures.