Indian Journal of Contemporary Dentistry
  • Year: 2015
  • Volume: 3
  • Issue: 2

Oral Health Status, Knowledge and Attitude of Pregnant Women towards Oral Hygiene in Mangalore

1Post Graduate Student, Dept. of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, A B Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, Karnataka, India

2Senior Professor and Head of the Department, Dept. of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, A B Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, Karnataka, India

*Corresponding author: Dr. Sampat Samir V, Post Graduate Student, Dept. of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, A.B.Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, Karnataka, India. Email: docsamirsampat@gmail.com

Online published on 15 July, 2015.

Abstract

Oral diseases are most prevalent condition in childhood. Studies show that the pregnant women were around 3 times more likely to suffer from dental caries and 2 times from periodontal disease. Childhood caries is a preventable infectious disease, and maternal oral flora is one of the greatest predictors of the oral flora of her offspring. Periodontal infection has also been associated with adverse pregnancy outcome. Pregnancy offers an opportunity to educate women regarding oral health and treat them where appropriate.

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and severity of Dental caries and periodontal disease, to evaluate the status of oral hygiene and to describe the knowledge and Attitude of pregnant women relating to oral Hygiene.

The prevalence and severity of caries was evaluated, having estimated DMFS and DMFT. The prevalence of periodontal diseases and the degree of severity was evaluated by Russel's periodontal index, gums by Silness-Loë (GI) index, oral hygiene by OHI-S (according to Green-Vermillion). The knowledge and Attitude of pregnant women relating to oral Hygiene was evaluated by structured Questionnaire.

The prevalence of dental caries was high amongst pregnant women, oral hygiene status was poor. The knowledge regarding oral health care maintenance during pregnancy and of the upcoming infant was also not satisfactory. Recommendations has to be made and implemented to improve the oral health care of pregnant women which in turn will improve their general well-being and also the well-being of the upcoming infant.

Keywords

pregnant women, oral hygiene status