Pregnancy, oral health and dental education: An overview on the northeast of Italy

Objectives: To evaluate the level of knowledge of pregnant women and puerpers about oral health and prevention during and after gestation. Methods: One hundred women aged 18-49 years (mean age 33±6 years) were included in this cross-sectional study. An anonymous questionnaire with 24 items related to oral health has been administered during or just after pregnancy. Firstly, answers have been analyzed on the full population and then subdividing the sample on the base of age ranges (G1: 18-25 years, G2: 26-35 years and G3: >35 years) and number of pregnancies (FP: first pregnancy; SP: second or more pregnancies). Parametric tests have been chosen for the statistical analysis; in particular, Anova test for independent samples was used to evaluate differences of baseline demographic characteristics among subgroups G1, G2, G3while chi-square test was used for FP and SP subgroups. Anova test was also used to intercept differences on answers given to the questionnaire among G1, G2 and G3 group; for FP and SP group was used t-test. Results: Level of information and knowledge of the full sample was medium-low and no significant differences have been observed between groups regarding awareness of the own level of the oral hygiene and knowledge of oral care. Conclusions: Results of this survey underline the high necessity of educational programs regarding oral care in pregnant and puerpers women. A strict collaboration between medical figures (dentist, oral hygienist, gynecologist and obstetric) is strongly encouraged to spread the concept of prevention.