| ORIGINAL RESEARCH |
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| Year : 2016 | Volume
: 8
| Issue : 5 | Page : 579-584 |
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Awareness on the Association between Periodontal Diseases and Pregnancy Outcomes among Gynecologists: A Cross-sectional Study
Kode Venkata Satyanarayana1, Yendluri Durga Bai2, Pakerla Aruna3, Nagisetty Sindhura4, Gedela Rupa Monisha4, Garre Sreenivasulu4
1 Associate Professor, Department of Periodontology, MNR Dental
2 Associate Professor, Department of Periodontology, Government
3 Professor, Department of Oral Medicine & Radiology, ACSR Government Medical College, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India
4 Post Graduate Student, Department of Periodontology, MNR Dental College & Hospital, Sangareddy, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Correspondence Address:
Kode Venkata Satyanarayana
Associate Professor, Department of Periodontology, MNR Dental
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
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Background: Studies showed periodontal diseases are risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes. Prenatal health care should include an assessment of oral health during pregnancy. Lack of awareness and attitudes regarding oral health leads to neonatal mortality and preterm low birth weight among infants. Finally, what needs to be realized is the key role of medical professionals in this aspect, to deliver appropriate and standard prenatal care to pregnant women. Hence, it is essential to evaluate the knowledge of medical health professionals about periodontitis and its association with adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Hyderabad among gynecologists using a questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed to the gynecologists by e-mails, fax, and personal interactions and was requested to anonymously complete the questionnaire.
Results: Among 112 respondents, 51.7% of them were aware of what is a periodontal disease, 57% of participants were aware of that pregnancy is a cause for preterm birth, 79.4% of gynecologists said that there was a correlation between health of the teeth, gums, and pregnancy, 65% of practitioners refer patients to the dentist when they are at risk, 75.7% of the participants were questioning their patients about their oral health during consultations, and only a few practitioners were referring, systematically their patient to a dentist. Knowledge of periodontitis is seen more in experienced practitioners with a hospital practice.
Conclusions: Clinical behavior regarding oral and periodontal health did not correlate with such knowledge; therefore, specific educational programs should be developed to share knowledge between dentists and gynecologists to develop teamwork. Periodic dental visits during early phases of pregnancy can be proposed to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes and to improve oral health status in pregnant woman. |
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