Oral and Dental Health Care Practices in Pregnant Women in Australia
Author Information
Author(s): Thomas Natalie J, Middleton Philippa F, Crowther Caroline A
Primary Institution: The University of Adelaide
Hypothesis
Socio-economic status and educational qualifications would influence a woman's knowledge and choices about oral health in pregnancy.
Conclusion
Most women were knowledgeable about oral and dental health, but lack of knowledge was strongly linked to lower education and socio-economic status.
Supporting Evidence
- 87% of women completed the questionnaire.
- Women with lower education and socio-economic status were at higher risk of poor periodontal health.
- 65% of women reported needing a dental check-up.
Takeaway
Most pregnant women know they should take care of their teeth, but many don't go to the dentist, especially if they didn't finish school or don't have much money.
Methodology
Women in the postnatal ward completed a questionnaire assessing their dental health knowledge and practices, with results analyzed using chi-square tests.
Potential Biases
Self-reported data may lead to misclassification and recall bias.
Limitations
The study relied on self-reported data, which may introduce bias, and excluded women needing interpreters.
Participant Demographics
Women were primarily Caucasian, with a majority over 30 years old, and about half had tertiary education.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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