Conocimientos, práctica y actitudes hacia la salud oral entre matronas de España

Abstract

Introduction

Oral health is crucial for overall health, particularly during pregnancy, a period of high vulnerability due to physiological changes. Although there are specific oral health programs for pregnant women in Spain, only 15% of women attend dental check-ups during pregnancy. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Spanish midwives regarding oral health in pregnant women following an educational intervention.

Methodology

A descriptive, observational, and cross-sectional study was conducted with active midwives in the Community of Murcia and Vizcaya. An initial questionnaire was administered to assess their knowledge and attitudes about oral health, followed by a lecture given by a dentist. Subsequently, a post-test was applied to measure the level of knowledge acquired.

Results

A total of 146 midwives participated, with an average age of 41.4 years and an average professional experience of 15 years. A total of 146 midwives participated in the study, with an average age of 41.4 years and an average of 15 years of professional experience. The study showed a significant improvement in knowledge about periodontal complications, the use of chlorhexidine and fluoride during pregnancy, and the relationship between breastfeeding and the baby's oral health after the lecture. A negative correlation was observed between years of professional experience and the level of knowledge in oral health.

Conclusions

Midwives had moderate knowledge about oral health during pregnancy and in infants, which improved significantly after the educational intervention. It is necessary to improve interprofessional education to optimize oral health during pregnancy.