Knowledge and Perceptions of Dental Care During Pregnancy: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Adolescents and Young Adults.

Purpose: To evaluate knowledge, perceptions and current practices regarding care-seeking behaviors and oral health in pregnant and non-pregnant adolescent and young adults, and to assess barriers to dental care during pregnancy.
Methods: An 18-question survey was distributed to patients in three tertiary hospital clinics in Columbus, Ohio, USA. Statistical analyses used chi-square and Fisher's exact tests, with significance at P <0.05.
Results: Of 227 respondents, 197 were female and about 30 percent were pregnant. The mean and median age was 17 years. Almost half were African American, 69 percent had public insurance and over 75 percent had one or two annual dental check-ups. Less than one percent indicated pregnant females should never go to the dentist, although 63 percent of pregnant respondents had not sought dental care while pregnant and less than five percent had been to the dentist in the six months prior to pregnancy. The most reported barrier to seek dental care was the patient being too busy.
Conclusions: Dental care among pregnant adolescents seems to be less utilized than their non-pregnant peers. The importance and safety of dental care during pregnancy are less understood among adolescents and young adults than in older, pregnant women. Most respondents, including males, stated that if a pregnant female has tooth pain, she should go to the dentist, but were unaware if materials used at the dentist were harmful to the baby. Interventions to improve knowledge and reduce barriers to dental care during pregnancy are needed for adolescents and young adults.