The Role of Oral and Prenatal Healthcare Providers in the Promotion of Oral Health for Pregnant Women

Abstract

Abstract Background Hormonal alterations and lowered immunity during pregnancy aggravated by poor oral hygiene increase the risk of pregnant women of developing oral diseases. We conducted this study to examine the role of oral and prenatal health providers in promoting dental care for pregnant women attending primary healthcare centers (PHCs) in Saudi Arabia. Methods We conducted an analysis of women (n = 515) who visited a dentist before pregnancy from a population of women who attended prenatal care at PHCs. We examined associations between oral practices of dental and prenatal health providers (exposures) and women’s utilization of dental care during pregnancy (outcome). Covariates included age, education, family income, health insurance, nationality, and presence of dental problems. Results Only 30.0% of women were informed by a dentist before pregnancy about the importance of visiting a dentist during pregnancy. About 37.0% of women were asked about oral health, 34.4% were informed about the importance of dental care during pregnancy, and 33.2% had their mouths inspected by prenatal health providers. Women informed by dentists about the importance of dental visits during pregnancy were twice as likely (Odds ratio [OR]: 2.42, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.63–3.60) to visit a dentist during pregnancy. Women who were referred to dentists, had their mouth inspected, or were advised to visit a dentist during pregnancy by prenatal providers were 4.29 (95% CI: 2.67–6.88), 3.79 (95% CI: 2.47–5.82), and 3.37 (95% CI: 2.16–5.27) times as likely to visit a dentist during pregnancy. Conclusion The partaking of oral and prenatal healthcare providers in evidence-based oral health promotion practices, antenatal-dental collaboration and closing the referral loop increase pregnant women’s access to and utilization of preventive and treatment dental services.