Dental Visits and Knowledge of Pregnant Minority Adolescents

Objectives: To compare dental visits and oral health knowledge of African American and Hispanic pregnant adolescents in a community health clinic with an associated dental clinic in the Chicagoland area.

Methods: Demographic information, pregnancy-related oral health knowledge, hygiene, and dental visits during pregnancy were surveyed by anonymous questionnaires passed out in the ob/gyn waiting room by clinic staff to adolescents who were pregnant at the time of the study or within the last year. Refusals were not tracked.

Results: 50 African American (AA) and 61 Hispanic (H) adolescents responded, aged 12-20. 14% of AA's and 26% of H's saw a dentist during their pregnancy ,while 26% of AA's and 16% of H's reported regular 6 month visits when not pregnant. 52% of AA's and 43% of H's knew that oral health problems could affect the pregnancy or growth of the baby (n.s.), while 34% of AA's and 56% of H's knew that pregnancy was related to gum problems (p=.035, Chi Square). Logistic regression with backwards removal of covariates revealed the predictors of a dental visit during pregnancy included living with boyfriend/husband (p=.017, odds ratio 4.4 (1.3-15.3 CI)), and dental visits when not pregnant (p=.000, OR 13.6 (3.7-50.5 CI)). Reasons given for not visiting the dentist while pregnant included afraid of harming the baby, no dental problems, and physician or dentist recommending postponement while pregnant.

Conclusions: These pregnant, community-clinic minority adolescents had only limited dental visits whether or not pregnant, and limited knowledge of oral health and pregnancy outcomes. Increasing regular dental visits when not pregnant may result in more dental visits made while pregnant. Better education about the importance of oral health care before and during pregnancy is needed from both dental and obstetric communities in order to benefit maternal health and pregnancy outcomes.