Maternal Knowledge of Oral Health During Pregnancy and Childbirth

SignificanceThe importance of oral health during pregnancy for women's health and preventive actions for the control of oral diseases in childhood is well established in the literature. However, even with significant advances in this regard, early childhood caries remain prevalent. During the first years of life, the child is highly dependent on maternal care. Therefore, there is essential to understand maternal knowledge about their own oral health and that of their children, to better target public prevention actions. ObjectiveThis cohort study was to investigate maternal knowledge of the oral health of woman and children during pregnancy and after childbirth, and the associated factors. MethodsGroups of women participating in a public prenatal dental care programme in Brazil were assessed, in two different stages. In the first stage, pregnant women were assessed for their own oral health. In the second stage, after childbirth, women were assessed for the oral health of their child. The examiner assigned a maternal knowledge score to the questionnaires, considering the ideal alternatives within the context of oral health promotion as correct answers. Statistical analysis included the Kruskal-Wallis and multiple linear regression tests, considering a level of significance of P < 0.05. ResultsNinety-eight women were included in the study, with a mean age 26.27 years (SD 6.51). In the regression analysis, the maternal knowledge score was associated with the presence of myths about oral health (P < 0.01), the children first dental appointment in the first year of life (P = 0.07), the presence of a non-nutritious sucking habit (P < 0.01), considering dental treatment to be important during pregnancy (P < 0.01), and having been instructed on oral health during pregnancy (P < 0.01) and after the children birth (P = 0.02). ConclusionThis study suggests that the women showed a regular score of knowledge about their oral health and that of their children, as they still believed in some myths about oral health and the risks of dental treatment during pregnancy. Women who received guidance on oral health in pregnancy and after birth showed higher knowledge of their oral health and that of their children, demonstrating the importance of carrying out health promotion actions during pregnancy and the first years of the child's life.