Revista de Odontologia da UNESP
https://revodontolunesp.com.br/article/doi/10.1590/1807-2577.20250007
Revista de Odontologia da UNESP
Artigo Original

Knowledge, interest, and confidence of pregnant women and the baby’s oral health

Conhecimento, interesse e segurança das gestantes sobre saúde bucal da gestante e do bebê

Daniella de SOUZA E SILVA; Maria Alana BICHEIRO; Karin Migliato SARRACINI; Marcia Hiromi TANAKA; Lenita MARANGONI-LOPES

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1807-2577.20250007 Rev. odontol. UNESP, vol.54, e20250007, 2025
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Abstract

Introduction: Pregnancy causes physical, systemic, and behavioral changes that can increase the risk of caries and periodontal disease. These conditions are associated with preterm birth and low birth weight. Therefore, dental follow-up is essential. However, several barriers still hinder pregnant women’s access to dental care.

Objective: To analyze the knowledge, interest, and safety of pregnant women and their babies’ oral care through a cross-sectional observational study.

Material and method: Structured questionnaire for pregnant women aged between 18 and 41 years (n=104) containing five questions to gather sociodemographic information and five questions addressing the knowledge and safety of pregnant women and their babies’ oral health during pregnancy, via Google Forms platform. Dichotomous answers were compared by the t-test for numerical data and by the Mann-Whitney test for ordinal data. In addition, Spearman’s correlation analysis was performed for the variables presenting statistical differences.

Result: The mean age of the pregnant women was 26.8 years, with a mean of 25.3 weeks of pregnancy. Most of the pregnant women (50%) had completed high school, with a family income of one to five minimum wages (86.5%) and were in their first pregnancy (54.8%). Pregnant women who were instructed regarding oral health and felt confident about how to take care of their baby’s oral health had higher education (p= 0.020) and age (p=0.004). The education level of pregnant women and instruction on oral health during pregnancy showed a positive correlation with feeling confident on how to take care of their babies’ oral health (Coef. Spearman = 0.248).

Conclusion: Although pregnant women showed interest in the topic, a large number of them — especially those with lower educational levels have limited knowledge and do not feel confident about maternal and infant oral health care.

Keywords

Oral health education; pregnancy; preventive dentistry

Resumo

Introdução: A gestação causa alterações físicas, sistêmicas e comportamentais que podem aumentar o risco à cárie e doença periodontal. Estas condições estão associadas a parto prematuro e baixo peso ao nascer. Sendo assim, o acompanhamento odontológico é fundamental. Contudo, há que dificultam o acesso das gestantes ao cuidado odontológico.

Objetivo: Analisar o conhecimento, interesse e segurança das gestantes sobre os cuidados bucais da gestante e do bebê através de um estudo observacional transversal.

Material e método: Foi aplicado um questionário estruturado na plataforma Google Formulários às gestantes de 18 e 41 anos (n=104), contendo 05 questões sobre informações sociodemográficas e 05 questões sobre o conhecimento e segurança das gestantes sobre a saúde bucal durante a gestação e do bebê. Os resultados foram comparados entre as respostas dicotômicas pelo teste t para os dados numéricos e Mann-Whitney para os dados ordinais. Além disso, foi realizada análise de correlação de Spearman para as variáveis que apresentaram diferença estatística.

Resultado: As gestantes tinham idade média de 26,8 anos, com uma média de 25,3 semanas de gestação. A maior parte das gestantes (50%) tinha ensino médio completo, renda familiar de 1 a 5 salários mínimos (86,5%), e estava na primeira gestação (54,8%). As gestantes que receberam orientação com relação à saúde bucal, e relataram se sentir seguras sobre como cuidar da saúde bucal do seu bebê tem maior escolaridade (p= 0.020) e idade (p=0.004). Foi observado correlação positiva fraca (Coef. Spearman = 0.248) entre a escolaridade das gestantes e a orientação sobre saúde bucal na gestação e segurança sobre como cuidar da saúde bucal do seu bebê.

Conclusão: Pode-se concluir que há interesse das gestantes pelo assunto, entretanto parte significativa delas, especialmente as com menor escolaridade, relatam ter conhecimento limitado e não se sentir seguras quanto aos cuidados bucais maternos e infantis.

Palavras-chave

 Educação em saúde bucal; gravidez; odontologia preventiva

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Submetido em:
24/03/2025

Aceito em:
20/10/2025

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