Oral health status of recently delivered rural Malawian women

Method: We performed clinical examination (dental status, gingival bleeding, plaque index and periodontal pocket probing depth) and took panoramic x-rays from 1226 women who had recently given birth in Mangochi district, southern Malawi. In addition, we conducted an interview on participants’ perceived oral health problems and treatment they had received.

Result: The mean age of the participants was 25.3 (SD 6.1), mean number of teeth 31.4 (SD 2.1), mean DMF index value 2.2 (SD 2.9), 62.6 % (n=758) of the participants had at least one carious tooth and 30.3% (n=372) at least one caries lesion extending to the pulp, 85.3% (n=1046) had gingivitis and 30.8% (n=377) periodontitis diagnosed, 24.4% (n=299) had at least one periapical infectious lesion and 13.3% (n=163) reactive osteitis. Of all participants, 20.1% (n=247) had experienced pain in the oral cavity at least once during the past 6 months, 14.9% (n=183) reported that the pain had disturbed daily activities and 17.3% (n=212) had limited food consumption due to the problems. Only 5.5% (n=68) of the participants had received any professional treatment.

Conclusion: Oral diseases and related problems are highly prevalent among rural Malawian women of child bearing age. Preventive measures are needed and access to dental care should be improved in order to prevent suffering, early tooth loss and adverse consequences for general health.