Prevention in Pregnancy

Area of Science:

• Maternal and Child Health
• Oral Health
• Public Health

Background:

• Oral health issues like gum bleeding and swelling are common during pregnancy.
• Many pregnant women and new mothers neglect regular dental check-ups and proper oral hygiene.
• Habits like salivary exchange pose potential risks to infant oral health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess oral health, hygiene, and dietary habits of pregnant women.
• To evaluate the oral health status and habits of infants in their early months.
• To gauge participant satisfaction with maternal and child oral health education courses.

Main Methods:

• Descriptive statistical analysis of data from a maternal and child oral health education project.
• Two questionnaires administered to 105 pregnant women (first) and 53 postpartum mothers (second).
• Data collected on general/oral health, habits, and infant well-being.

Main Results:

• Over 50% of pregnant women reported gum bleeding or swelling; less than 60% used interdental aids.
• Postpartum, over 50% of mothers faced oral issues, but only 34.6% sought dental care.
• Many parents engaged in salivary exchange with infants; few newborns received dental check-ups.

Conclusions:

• Confirms high prevalence of gum problems during pregnancy and low engagement with dental care.
• Emphasizes the need for greater awareness regarding oral health risks and habits like salivary exchange.
• Maternal and child oral health courses are effective, with high participant satisfaction, suggesting scalability and integration of pediatric dentists into prenatal/postnatal care.