Oral hygiene awareness among pregnant women in Chennai: A cross-sectional study

Background: The association between preganancy and poor oral health and its effects on preterm low birth infants are well documented in scientific literature. A pilot study was conducted with 160 pregnant women in the year 2016 showed that oral hygiene awareness among pregnant women was least among those who did not complete basic school education. This was the motive to conduct the present survey. Aims and Objectives: The Aim of this survey is to determine the knowledge and awareness on oral hygiene practices and to evaluate the role of education status on awareness of poor oral health and pregnancy outcomes among 500 pregnant women in Chennai city, Tamil Nadu, using self-tested questionnaire. Materials and Methods: A Descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among 500 pregnant women attending maternity clinics in Chennai using Self administered questionnaire. Results: Among 500 participants majority of them 72% of school educated never visited dentist. Only 6.2% of Undergraduate women was referred by gynecologist for dental check up during pregnancy. 31.3% of school educated felt that first trimester was safe to undergo dental treatment with p=0.000. Conclusion: This survey showed that level of education played a significant role in awareness about oral hygiene among pregnant women.