Yasmine Tarek, Bashaer Alsaihati, Farah Aljumah, Fatimah Alghanem, Fatima Alkhars, Swasan Albagshi, Zahra Aldahan

ABSTRACT

Aim: To evaluate knowledge of oral hygiene and relation to pregnancy among pregnant women and to increase the awareness of pregnant women about oral and dental health care. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted using a self-designed questionnaire consisting of 15 questions. A total of 450 subjects were approached and sent the questionnaire online. The questionnaire consists of three parts with the first part on the sociodemographic factors, the second part linking oral hygiene practice requirement and dental visit during pregnancy, and the third part was to evaluate the awareness of oral/periodontal signs in pregnancy and vice versa. All the data were calculated and statistically analyzed using SPSS. Results: The majority of the patients had a bachelor’s degree and were well educated. Most of the patients were employed. Over one-third of the patients felt that oral and periodontal tissue is affected by pregnancy and they feel that these changes are due to hormonal changes. Most of the patients were aware of the oral hygiene practice required to maintain oral health during pregnancy since they were brushing their teeth twice daily. There was a need for improving the awareness about periodontal disease as a risk factor for pregnancy outcome with only 4.3% answering positively. Conclusion: It appears that oral hygiene practice required during pregnancy is well known, similarly to the oral and periodontal changes seen during the pregnancy. However, periodontal disease as a risk factor for the pregnancy outcome needs to be made more aware to this special group of subjects.