Romanian pregnant women’ attitude and behaviour related to periodontal health - a pilot study

Abstract

There is a well-studied bidirectional association between adverse pregnancy outcomes and periodontal inflammation and pregnant women should be aware of the oral health-related preventive behaviours. Aim: assessment of Romanian pregnant women’ awareness, knowledge and behaviour regarding the periodontal health during pregnancy. Material and method: a cross-sectional pilot study was conducted in 2020-2021 on a sample of 80 pregnant women with a mean age of 28.42±6.91 years, using an on-line self-assessment questionnaire. Results: 62.75% reported frequent gingival bleeding; 25%brush their teeth only in the morning; 63.75% use interdental cleaning products; only 18.75% visited the dentist during the pregnancy. 45% never had a professional dental cleaning; only 23.75% declared being acknowledged about the effects of pregnancy on periodontal health and only 11.75% were informed about the impact of untreated periodontal inflammation on pregnancy evolution. Conclusion: Most of the pregnant women were unaware of the association between periodontal condition and adverse pregnancy outcomes, oral hygiene was unsatisfactory and dental visits were neglected.