Self Reported Oral Health, Awareness and Attitude Towards Dental Care Among Pregnant Women

Self Reported Oral Health, Awareness and Attitude Towards Dental Care and Risk of Dental Caries Among Pregnant Women in Norway

Purpose/Objective of the study:

The main objective of the study is to investigate oral health awareness and attitudes towards oral health among Norwegian pregnant women and assess the impact of information about oral hygiene on the risk of dental caries during pregnancy.

The hypothesis of the study are:

1. The state of oral health during pregnancy depends on pregnant woman's preventive oral hygiene behaviour and practice.
2. Pregnant women with high level of oral health awareness and positive attitude towards oral health are more likely to visit their dentists regularly and have better oral hygiene compared to those with less awareness.
3. Proper information and guidance on oral hygiene care provided during pregnancy can help to improve oral bacteriological milieu and reduce the dental caries risk among pregnant women.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Women with viable pregnancy ≥ 17 weeks gestation

Exclusion Criteria:

• Those not willing to participate in the study.
• Women who are unable to communicate well in Norwegian.
• Women who have been diagnosed to have a fetus with a chromosomal or structural fetal anomaly and do not plan to continue their pregnancy