Exploring the determinants of oral health care uptake among women with gestational diabetes mellitus: A qualitative study to develop a logic model and framework for an oral health intervention

Introduction

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a condition of glucose intolerance in pregnancy. Oral health has been shown to mediate blood glucose management and pregnancy outcomes. There is also a greater prevalence of poor oral health in GDM pregnancies when compared to normoglycemic pregnancies. While current guidelines recommend an oral health review as part of diabetes and pregnancy management, it is under-considered in GDM care. Hence, it is important to understand how to improve oral health care in this context.

Aim

To explore the determinants of oral health care uptake among women with GDM to develop a logic model for an intervention to improve awareness and activation of oral health behaviours in this population.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were used to collect the data and the Theoretical Domains Framework inspired the interview guide. The study population consisted of UK-based women with GDM over 18 years of age. The data were analysed with Framework Analysis and the COM-B Model was used to orientate the data.

Results

Seventeen women participated in the study. Five themes including knowledge about oral health; the health of the baby; the impact of the GDM diagnosis; social support and barriers and facilitators were found to influence the uptake of oral health care.

Conclusions

This study developed an evidence-based logic model of the determinants of oral health care uptake among women with GDM. This will serve as a framework for developing an oral health intervention. This study may be the starting point for initiating conversations about implementing oral health care in GDM management.