Oral health challenges during pregnancy in a semi-urban Indian population: A cross-sectional study in Valanchery, Kerala

TL;DR

This study examines oral health issues among pregnant women in a semi-urban area of India and finds high rates of conditions like gingivitis and dental caries.

Contribution

The study highlights the urgent need to integrate oral health screening and education into antenatal care in semi-urban Indian populations.

Findings

69% of pregnant women showed signs of gingivitis.

70% of participants had dental caries.

Only 10% of the women utilized dental services during pregnancy.

Abstract

Pregnancy is often characterized by an extreme physiological and hormonal state that makes them susceptible to oral diseases like
gingivitis, caries and periodontitis. Therefore, it is of interest to review the rates and trend of oral health issues in 50 expectant
mothers who were being attended to in CH Memorial Hospital, Valanchery, Kerala. Oral health status and behavior were measured using
clinical examination and structured questionnaires. There was high prevalence of gingivitis (69%), dental caries (70%) and accumulation
of plaque (65%) and low utilization of dental services by people (10%). Thus, we show that the application of oral health screening and
education into the routine antenatal care is highly urgent to ensure the well-being of both the fetus and mother.