Evaluation of the knowledge and attitude of expectant mothers about oral health and oral hygiene practices

Abstract

Aims: The purpose of the study aims to contribute towards a better understanding of the barriers hindering optimal oral health in expectant mothers locally, to inspire expectant mothers, raise awareness of the value of oral health and its ramifications, to critically review the knowledge, attitudes and practices concerning oral health of expectant mothers, and to discuss the impact of parental variables (oral hygiene attitudes, practices, and knowledge), that may indicate a child’s risk of acquiring dental diseases. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was carried out by social media sharing of an anonymous survey among expectant mothers and was voluntarily filled out. The data collected was analysed, interpreted, and discussed. Results and Conclusions: 50 surveys were completed. The findings showed that maximum total knowledge scores were obtained by the majority of the participants which suggests a positive outlook towards selforal health. However, knowledge lacked when it came to knowledge about children; 50% of participants did not have the knowledge of the recommended age to start toothbrushing and 66% did not know the recommended fluoride dose for children 6 years of age. Furthermore, 88% did not now the age of when to stop assisting the child while toothbrushing. Moreover, 38% find nothing wrong with sharing utensils with their child, 28% would not treat decayed deciduous dentition and 44% find nothing wrong with letting their child sleep while drinking from the milk bottle. Statistical significance was found between mothers’ knowledge and age (p = 0.038), education (p = 0.029), marital status (p = 0.049), income (p = 0.015), brushing of the gingival margin (p = 0.034) and making use of a fluoridated toothpaste (p = < 0.001). Within mothers’ attitude, statistical significance was found across income (p = 0.048), brushing of the gingival margin (p = < 0.001), location (p = 0.042), smoking (p = 0.011), the link between general health and oral health (p = 0.002), emergency visits to the dentist (p = 0.015) These findings demand that oral health education be expanded in primary care settings, especially in maternal and paediatric care, in order to educate and inform women about dental diseases, prevention strategies, oral health education and promotion.