[Design and evaluation of an oral health booklet during pregnancy]

The main objective of this study was to design and evaluate an oral health booklet for pregnant women, aiming to improve the prevention and monitoring of oral diseases in this group. Secondary objectives included the validation of the booklet through evaluation by dental professionals and its implementation in a population of pregnant women.

Descriptive, observational, cross-sectional clinical study. The design included two phases: the creation of the booklet based on a literature review, and its evaluation through a survey of 40 dental professionals. Modifications based on feedback received led to the final version of the booklet.

The study was conducted at the University Dental Clinic (COU) of Morales Meseguer Hospital in the Region of Murcia, within the oral health program of the University of Murcia aimed at pregnant women.

A total of 241 pregnant women, between 10 and 31 weeks of gestation, were included in the study. They were selected through midwives from primary care centers and via social media outreach.

The study used a non-probabilistic sample of pregnant women. Questionnaires, clinical histories, and oral examinations were used to collect data. Oral health habits, caries and plaque indices, and dental care recommendations were analyzed.

The booklet was well accepted by professionals, and a high prevalence of caries (CAOD: 7.34) and plaque (index: 30.15) was identified among the pregnant women.

The booklet is useful for the prevention and monitoring of oral health issues during pregnancy, promoting maternal-infant oral health.