Prenatal Oral Health Care and Dental Service Utilization by Pregnant Women: A Survey in Four Maternity Centers of Gulshan Town, District East, Karachi

Abstract

healthy society is dependent on health of mothers who nurture their future generations.1 It is commonly acknowledge that good oral health knowledge is precursor of good oral health behavior.2 According to WHO, oral health is one of the most important public health concern and should be addressed seriously. Pregnancy is a dynamic condition of female body causing a number of physiologic changes. These physiologic changes lead to numerous oral conditions1,3-7 shown in figure 1. Good maternal health is certainly one of the important determinants in lowering rate of pregnancy related complications. Improving oral health during pregnancy not only proves to be supportive but also decreases pregnancy related complications like pre-term birth, pre-eclampsia, morbidity and mortality of infants.1,3,8,9 Studies show that 50% of pregnant women develop oral diseases. It has been shown that bacteria (MutantStreptococci MS) is responsible for early childhood caries, transmitted from mother's saliva and rate of transmission increase if she bears poor oral hygiene with untreated dental caries.3 Otherpredisposing factors are poor diet, alcohol, smoking, betel nut chewing and gutka consumption. These factors affect both general and oral health. Most common barriers 1. Research Medical Officer, Centre for Non-Communicable Disease Karachi. 2. Consultant Dentist, Visiting Faculty, The Aga Khan Health Services, Visiting faculty, The Aga Khan University and SZABIST. Corresponding author: “Dr. Ali Hussain Khan” < Alihussain.kh@gmail.com >