Promoting Perinatal Oral Health in South-western Sydney: A Collaborative Approach

Objectives: New guidelines recommend that all pregnant women should receive a comprehensive oral health evaluation and risk assessment. Unfortunately, expectant mothers seldom seek dental care during pregnancy. This study examined the perceived oral health status and knowledge of pregnant women in South-western Sydney and their perceptions of a new oral health service initiated by midwives to offer oral health assessment, education and referrals for pregnant women attending antenatal clinics. Methods: A mixed methods approach involving telephone interviews (n=10) and a cross sectional survey (n=241) of pregnant women attending a large hospital in South-western Sydney was undertaken. The majority of women in the interviews (n=9) and survey (n=231) were in their second and third trimesters. Interview topics focussed on experiences with oral health and care. Survey items included incidence of dental problems, frequency of dental visits and perceptions about the proposed service. Results: More than 50% of the pregnant women in the interviews (n=6) and survey (n=130) reported dental problems with bleeding gums [32% (n=75)] and cavities [22% (n=54)] being the most common problem seen in the latter group. None of the women interviewed had regular dental care and less than a third surveyed [30.3% (n=73)] had visited a dentist in the last 6 months. Barriers cited to seeking dental care included high costs, lack of awareness and conflicting advise from prenatal and oral health care providers with only 10% of women in the survey receiving any information on oral health care during pregnancy. Women in the interviews and survey were very receptive to the idea of midwives promoting oral health [90.9% (n=219)] and providing referrals for prompt and affordable dental treatment [95.4% (n=230)]. Conclusions: A structured midwifery-initiated oral health service with appropriate oral health care referral pathway will be well received in South-western Sydney.