Knowledge and attitudes of gynecological/obstetric physicians in relation to the oral health of pregnant women

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the gynecological/ obstetric physicians’ knowledge and attitude in relation to the pregnant women’s oral health. The sample consisted of 83 gynecological/obstetric physicians from the State of Santa Catarina, registered with the private health insurance cooperative society UNIMED, from the main cities of the Itajaí Valley, North and West regions, who answered to a questionnaire containing ten multiple choice open-ended questions. The data collected were organized in figures by means of relative frequency analysis. Only 44.6% of the physicians received information about oral health during their residency; 975% believe that pregnancy can cause oral alterations, where gingivitis (92.8%) was the most frequently mentioned. 78.3% believe that there might be a relationship between maternal oral conditions and the possibility of a premature birth and low weight of the baby, therefore only 51.8% direct their patients to a dental care; 62.6% assert there is no dental care contraindication during gestation; 51.8% assert that the pregnant woman diet can influence the baby’s taste and 85.5% advise their patients regarding the sucrose consumption. As for the prescription of fluoride supplements, 25.3% recommend to their patients while 33.7% sometimes do it. The results show that the physicians who participated in this study need more up-to-date scientific information concerning the pregnant woman’s oral health. Dental surgeons need to be more involved in the activities of the teams that accomplish prenatal programs. The basic knowledge about oral health at undergraduate level would be of great value in the education of health professionals who act in prenatal assistance so that they obtain an integral approach of the pregnant woman’s health.