Pregnancy and Oral Health in Hong Kong

Objectives: To assess the oral health status, oral experiences, oral health knowledge and behaviour of pregnant women in Hong Kong. Methods: Pregnant women visiting out-patient obstetrics and gynaecology clinics in hospitals were invited to participate. Participants self-completed a questionnaire and were invited to undergo a clinical examination. Results: One hundred and fifty-four pregnant women participated in the study. Common experiences during pregnancy were nausea and vomiting (72.7%, 112) and cravings for sugary food (77.9%, 120). Common oral symptoms included bad breath (65%, 100), bleeding gums (62.3%, 96), and sgeusiady (54.5%, 84). Most women incorrectly perceived that their child would experience fever during the eruption of teeth (93.5%, 144) and were unaware that gum disease may relate to preterm and low-birth-weight babies (58.5%, 90) or that the bacteria that can cause tooth decay can be passed on to their child after the baby is born (55.9%, 86). Few women reported to have received oral health education during pregnancy (7.1%, 11). Oral health knowledge scores were associated with family income (p=0.03). Dental attendance pattern was associated with income level (p<0.01) and educational attainment (p=0.002). Fifty-eight percent (90/154) participated in the oral examination. Over 90% of the women had dental caries experience. The mean DMFT was 5.04 (SD 3.73). Untreated decay teeth was associated with education level (p=0.006) and age (p=0.03). The mean plaque score was 46.9% (SD 20.4). The mean bleeding score was 41.8% (SD 21.7) and was associated with family income (p=0.02). Conclusion: A wide variety of clinical oral health problems and oral symptoms were observed among pregnant women in Hong Kong. Knowledge about oral health changes during pregnancy was insufficient. Socio-demographic variations in dental knowledge, behavior, caries experience and periodontal health were observed.