Assessment of pregnant, primiparous and postpartum women's knowledge about dental caries

• Published in: RGO - Revista Gaúcha de Odontologia 2015-06, Vol.63 (2), p.145-152
• Main Authors: MASSONI, Andreza Cristina de Lima Targino, PEREIRA, Rosaney Barbosa, NÓBREGA, Danúbia Roberta Medeiros, COSTA, Luciana Ellen Dantas, FERNANDES, Jocianelle Maria Felix de Alencar, ROSENBLATT, Aronita
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: DENTISTRY, ORAL SURGERY & MEDICINE
• ISSN: 0103-6971; 1981-8637; 1981-8637
• DOI: 10.1590/1981-863720150002000022808

OBJECTIVE: To make a comparative assessment of primiparous and multiparous mothers' knowledge about dental caries, access to information and use of dental services during pregnancy. METHODS: This cross-sectional, quantitative study was conducted in a Reference Maternity center for the Seridó region of Rio Grande do Norte, with 100 women aged between 12 and 45 years, who answered a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: The majority of patients received information on oral health (70%) (p=0.24), but only 42% sought dental care during pregnancy (p = 0.45). The interviewees considered caries (80%) (p=0.80), a communicable disease (64%) (p=0.29) arising due to inadequate brushing (60%) (p=0.37). Pregnant women considered a brush with soft bristles and small head appropriate (59%) (p=0.83) and reported that the amount of toothpaste should extend over the entire brush (46%) (p=0.04). "Brush your teeth" was the most cited response (70.9%) in their speeches on caries prevention. CONCLUSIONS: In general the mothers in this study presented similar characteristics as regards knowledge about dental caries, access to information and use of dental services, however, there was significant difference between the groups for the variable quantity of toothpaste used. Nevertheless, some aspects such as the multifactorial etiology of dental caries, biofilm, use of dentifrices, and seeking information and dental services from the perspective or oral health prevention and promotion still need to be worked on among these mothers. These are simple aspects that must be considered in daily care by both pregnant and multiparous women OBJETIVO Avaliar, comparativamente, o conhecimento de mães primíparas e multíparas, sobre cárie dentária, acesso à informação e a busca por serviço odontológico durante a gestação MÉTODO Este estudo transversal e quantitativo foi realizado em uma Maternidade de Referência para a região do Seridó do Rio Grande do Norte, com 100 gestantes, entre 12 e 45 anos, que responderam ao formulário estruturado RESULTADOS A maioria das gestantes recebeu informações sobre saúde bucal (70%) (p=0,24), mas apenas 42% buscaram atendimento odontológico durante a gravidez (p=0,45). As entrevistadas consideraram a cárie uma doença (80%) (p=0,80), transmissível (64%) (p=0,29) e que surge devido à escovação inadequada (60%) (p=0,37). As gestantes consideraram apropriada a escova com cerdas macias e cabeça pequena (59%) (p=0,83) e afirmaram que a quantidade de creme dental deve est