Exploring the oral health

knowledge and attitudes among

pregnant women
Presentation by BOSCO AINANI
INTRODUCTION

 Pregnancy is a crucial period in a woman's life that requires special attention to

ensure both maternal and fetal well being.
 Oral health often takes a back seat compared to other aspects of health care.
 This research aims to address the knowledge and attitudes of pregnant women
towards oral health and any gaps that may exist and also to shed light on potential
barriers to accessing dental care and inform interventions to improve oral health
outcomes.
why this is an important topic

 Oral health during pregnancy ; pregnancy can have significant impact on oral
health due to hormonal changes, increased blood circulation, and changes in
eating habits.
 Lack of awareness ; many pregnant women may not be aware of potential risks of
poor oral health during pregnancy or the importance of oral hygiene practices.
 Barriers to seeking dental health care during pregnancy; pregnant women may
face unique barriers to seeking dental care, such as concerns about safety of
dental treatments during pregnancy, financial constrains, or lack of access to
dental services.
 Impact on the child's oral health; the oral health of the mother has been linked to
the oral health of the child
Problem statement

 Despite the importance of maintaining good oral health during pregnancy for both
the mother and the child, there is limited knowledge and understanding of the
health knowledge and attitudes among women. This lack of knowledge and
understanding could contribute to inadequate oral hygiene practices and neglect
of oral healthcare during pregnancy leading to potential negative health outcomes
for both the mother and the baby.
 Therefore, there is a need to explore the oral health knowledge and attitudes
among pregnant women in order to identify areas of improvement, develop
targeted interventions, and ultimately improve oral health outcomes during
pregnancy.
References

 Conrad SM, Baines SK, Hess TM, Ferraro FR, Corby PM. Oral health knowledge,
attitudes, and behaviours of pregnant women in the united states. J Public Health Dent.
2019
 El Tantawi M, Bakhurji E, AI Manei K. Oral health status and knowledge, attitudes and
practice of pregnant women in Riyadh, a survey. Saudi Dent J 2019
 Richard J. Schlossberg, Dentists guide to pregnancy; oral health tips and strategies for
expectant mothers.