Abstract
In this study 182 pregnant women undergoing prenatal classes were surveyed by questionnaire to assess their awareness of their own oral health and that of their unborn babies. Half of the pregnant women surveyed were in their 30's, and most of them had no previous experience giving birth. In response to a question, half described their current health condition as “good”. Those who had experience with smoking accounted for 30%, and many of them had given up the habit before or after they found they were pregnant. Two women were still smoking. About 90% said they had no problem with brushing their teeth, and the most common reply when asked to suggest “an alternative when brushing is not possible” was to “gargle with water”. As to whether they had a dentist they could consult when they had a problem, about 70% responded “yes”. Regarding concerns about the oral health of their unborn babies, many of them responded “do not know yet”. In descending order, they were most concerned about “dentition”, “dental caries”, and “occlusion”. As for their willingness to adopt breast feeding after giving birth, about 90% responded positively, and many were hoping to feed their baby breast milk as much as possible. With regard to the relationship between smoking or drinking alcohol and premature birth and mother-to-child transmission of cariogenic bacteria, many expressed awareness.On the overall matter of health guidance and advice given to pregnant women, the study found it is necessary to emphasize that proper healthcare management during pregnancy not only promotes the prenatal health of the mother and child but postnatal health as well.
