Knowledge of Pregnant Women on Pregnancy and Infancy Oral Health

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the oral health knowledge regarding pregnancy and infant oral health among the pregnant women in Hong Kong.Methods: Pregnant women attending antenatal check-ups at two public hospitals were invited to participate in a self-completed questionnaire survey. Knowledge on dental visit and dental problem during pregnancy, breastfeeding, tooth eruption and oral cleansing for infant was assessed. Maternal and socio-demographic background information was collected. Multiple logistic regressions were used to investigate factors associated with better oral health knowledge.Results: 781 pregnant women participated (mean age: 32.4±4.5 years; mean gestational week: 23.4±9.1; 55.6% had no childbearing experience). Only 38.3% of the participants knew 4th-6th month during pregnancy is the most appropriate time for a dental check-up while 42.9% did not know whether breastfeeding is good for infant’s oral health or not. Most (61.3%) of the women knew the first primary tooth erupts at around 6 months of age and 67.1% knew parents should start cleaning infant’s mouth as early as after birth. The subjects with dental scheme coverage (DSC) (OR=1.74, p=0.001), higher family monthly income level (FMI) (HK$20,000-39,999: OR=1.78; ≥HK$40,000: OR=2.02 vs. <HK$20,000, p=0.005) and higher education level (EDU) (senior high school: OR=1.82; tertiary education: OR=1.99 vs. ≤junior high school, p=0.026) were more likely to know the appropriate time for dental check-up during pregnancy. Those with childbearing experience (OR=3.56, p<0.001) and in third trimester (OR=2.24, p=0.010) were more likely to know the time of first primary tooth eruption. Those with DSC (OR=1.71, p=0.005), higher FMI (HK$20,000-39,999: OR=1.67; ≥HK$40,000: OR=1.89, p=0.013), higher EDU (senior high school: OR=1.48; tertiary education, OR=2.20, p=0.006), childbearing experience (OR=2.14, p<0.001), and in the third trimester (OR=1.55, p=0.045) were more likely to know the time to start cleaning infant’s mouth.Conclusions: In general, the pregnant women in Hong Kong do not have sufficient oral health knowledge. In addition, those with DSC, higher FMI, higher EDU, childbearing experience and in the third trimester have better knowledge.