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Exploring dental care misconceptions and barriers in pregnancy
Linda A Detman1, Barbara H Cottrell, Marie F Denis-Luque
1Lawton & Rhea Chiles Center for Healthy Mothers and Babies, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33613-4660, USA. idetman@health.usf.edu
Birth (Berkeley, Calif.)
|November 19, 2010
Summary
Many pregnant women face barriers to dental care, including cost and misconceptions about safety. Addressing these issues is crucial for maternal and infant health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Maternal Health
- Dental Public Health
Background:
- Poor oral health is linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes like preterm birth and low birth weight.
- Limited understanding exists regarding childbearing women's experiences in accessing dental care.
- This study investigated barriers to dental care among Florida women before and during pregnancy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the experiences and barriers encountered by women in obtaining dental care.
- To identify specific challenges faced by women before and during pregnancy concerning oral health services.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative analysis of face-to-face interviews with 253 African American women (18-35 years old) in Florida, one month postpartum.
- Interviews focused on experiences obtaining oral health care and recall of guidance during prenatal visits.
- Subject-level content analysis was used to identify key themes regarding participants' perspectives.
Main Results:
- A majority of participants did not access dental care or recall receiving oral health information during prenatal visits.
- Identified barriers included lack of insurance, difficulty finding dentists, and low prioritization of dental care.
- Misconceptions about the safety and appropriateness of dental care during pregnancy were prevalent, alongside sporadic guidance.
Conclusions:
- Misconceptions regarding the appropriateness of oral health care during pregnancy significantly impact access and utilization.
- Addressing these misconceptions and barriers is essential given the link between poor oral health and adverse birth outcomes.
- Improving maternal and infant health necessitates greater attention to oral health during the prenatal period.
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