Oral health survey on pregnant women in suburban of Beijing

Objectives: To investigate oral health status of pregnant women and their knowledge, belief, and behavior on oral health care in Miyun county of Beijing Methods: The survey was developed by Women and Children Health care institution of Miyun in the late half year of 2004 ,233 pregnant women (average age 26) accepted oral health examination and questionnaire investigation. The examination was finished by one dentist using the WHO basic oral health survey methods(1987). Questionnaire covered basic demographic information, general and oral health status during pregnancy , knowledge ,belief, and behaviour on oral health care ,etc. chi-squire and logestic regression were used to analyze the data. Results: 57.7%(±6.2%) of the pregnant women had dental caries, with DMFT of 1.42(±4.27) ; 63.2%(±12.1%)of them had calculus and 85.9%(±4.5%) of them had gingivitis. Only 55.0% and 3.0%of them had basic knowledge on oral health care and correct knowledge about fluoride, respectively. Only 60.4% of them would like to take positive dental visit, 80.4% of them didn't go for any oral health care in recent two years. There were significant differences of caries prevalence between pregnant women with or without positive attitude to dental disease (Χ²=13.245 P<0.001) ,same difference was also found between pregnant women with different family economic status (Χ²=5.704 P<0.05) ; the main protective factors of pregnant women's caries development were taking positive attitude and behavior to dental disease(OR=0.370) and better family economic status(OR=0.483) . Conclusions: Oral health status of pregnant women is still a problem that should take into consideration. Pregnant women's knowledge on oral health care is still not enough, especially those about fluoride. Oral health care should be included into the pregnant period health care.