Periodontal Health Status and Pregnancy Outcomes: A Survey in Medical Doctors
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31729/jnma.3513Abstract
Introduction: Periodontal disease and caries are the most common causes of tooth loss worldwide. Studies have demonstrated strong association between periodontitis and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Medical doctors, who are the primary healthcare providers, seldom advise women to seek dental care during pregnancy. This study was undertaken to explore the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of medical doctors towards oral health and to identify the barriers of prenatal periodontal healthcare in their practices and its possible implications on pregnancy outcomes.
Methods: Total 377 doctors filled the questionnaire. The data collected through personal contacts, social networking, emails, online forms and networking at conferences were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 20 software program and presented in tables, charts and diagrams.
Results: Out of 263 (69.8%) male and 114 (30.2%) female doctors enrolled in the study, only 52 (13.8%) had received education or training on oral care during pregnancy. Among them 299 (79.3%) agreed that there is possible link between health of teeth-gums and pregnancy. Approximately 105 (27.9%) encountered patients with oral/periodontal problem every week but only 108 (28.6%) “always†advised their patient for regular dental check-ups. Similarly, 358 (95%) agreed that there is need for universal guidelines however, 133 (35.3%) thought there was insufficient time to advice patients on oral health during check-ups.
Conclusions: An adequate referral system to oral healthcare providers and biannual check-ups is recommended for both general patient as well as pregnant women for preventing adverse situations related to oral and specifically periodontal diseases.
References
2. Corbella S, Taschieri S, Francetti L, De Siena F, Del Fabbro M. Periodontal disease as a risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control studies. Odontology. 2012;100(2):232-40. [PubMed | Full Text | DOI ]
3. Lohana MH, Suragimath G, Patange RP, Varma S, Zope SA. A Prospective Cohort Study to Assess and Correlate the Maternal Periodontal Status with Their Pregnancy Outcome. J Obstet Gynaecol India. 2017;67(1):27-32. [PubMed | Full Text | DOI ]
4. Ide M, Papapanou PN. Epidemiology of association between maternal periodontal disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes--systematic review. J Clin Periodontol. 2013;40 Suppl 14:S181-94. [PubMed | Full Text | DOI ]
5. Mumghamba EG, Manji KP. Maternal oral health status and preterm low birth weight at Muhimbili National Hospital, Tanzania: a case-control study. BMC Oral Health. 2007;7:8-19. [PubMed | Full Text | DOI ]
6. George A, Dahlen HG, Reath J, Ajwani S, Bhole S, Korda A, et al. What do antenatal care providers understand and do about oral health care during pregnancy: a cross-sectional survey in New South Wales, Australia. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2016;16(1):382-91. [PubMed | Full Text | DOI ]
7. Al-Habashneh R, Aljundi SH, Alwaeli HA. Survey of medical doctors’ attitudes and knowledge of the association between oral health and pregnancy outcomes. Int J Dent Hygiene. 2008;6:214-20. [PubMed | Full Text | DOI ]
8. Mawardi HH, Elbadawi LS, Sonis ST. Current understanding of the relationship between periodontal and systemic diseases. Saudi Med J. 2015;36(2):150-8. [PubMed | Full Text | DOI ]
9. Patil SN, Kalburgi NB, Koregol AC, Warad SB, Patil S, Ugale MS. Female sex hormones and periodontal health-awareness among gynecologists – A questionnaire survey. Saudi Dent J. 2012;24(2):99-104. [PubMed | Full Text | DOI ]
10. George A, Shamim S, Johnson M, Dahlen H, Ajwani S, Bhole S, et al. How do dental and prenatal care practitioners perceive dental care during pregnancy? Current evidence and implications. Birth. 2012;39(3):238-47. [PubMed | Full Text | DOI ]
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
JNMA allow to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of its articles and allow readers to use them for any other lawful purpose. The author(s) are allowed to retain publishing rights without restrictions. The JNMA work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. More about Copyright Policy.