Original Article

Year : 2018 | Volume : 6 | Issue : 1 | Page : 16-20

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices Related to the Oral Health among the Pregnant Women Attending a Government Hospital, Chennai

Anshika Khare, Vrinda Saxena, Manish Jain1

Department of Public Health Dentistry, People’s Dental Academy, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, 1

Department of Public Health Dentistry, SMBT Dental College and Hospital, Ghulewadi, Maharashtra, India

Address for correspondence:

Dr. L. Leelavathi,

Department of Public Health Dentistry, Saveetha Dental College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

E‐mail: karleela81@gmail.com

Abstract

Background:

Good oral hygiene during pregnancy improves oral and general health of the mother, which in turn promotes oral and general health of the child. Hence, a study was done to assess knowledge and practices of pregnant woman regarding oral health.

Materials and Methods:

A cross‐sectional survey was conducted among pregnant women attending a Government hospital, Chennai. A total of 500 samples were selected by convenience sampling technique. A questionnaire containing 16 close‐ended questions related to knowledge, attitude, and practices pertaining to oral health during pregnancy along with demographic data was used for collecting baseline information. Descriptive statistics and Chi‐square test were used to analyze the data.

Results:

Majority of the study participants (95%) were not aware that gum disease can cause preterm low birth weight babies. Most of them (93%) were not aware of safe period for undergoing dental treatment during pregnancy. Majority of the study participants (97.4%) used tooth brush and tooth paste to clean their teeth. Nearly half of the study participants (48.6%) replied that they consult dentist while experiencing dental problems.

Conclusion:

The knowledge related to oral health of pregnant women during pregnancy was found to be low and need to be improved. Oral health practice was not sufficient among the study participants and therefore proper health education is to be given to them regarding the importance of oral hygiene aids to maintain good oral health. Attitude toward dental visit has to be improved.

Keywords: Attitude, awareness, dental health, pregnancy

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

How to cite this article:

Leelavathi L, Merlin TH, Ramani V, Suja RA, Chandran CR. Knowledge, attitude, and practices related to the oral health among the pregnant women attending a government hospital, Chennai. Int J Community Dent 2018;6:16-20.