Oral Health Status and Dental Services Utilisation Among a Vulnerable Sample of Pregnant Women

Yasaman Mohammadi Kamalabadi; M Karen Campbell; Robert Gratton; Abbas Jessani

doi:10.1016/j.identj.2024.07.009

Oral Health Status and Dental Services Utilisation Among a Vulnerable Sample of Pregnant Women

Int Dent J. 2024 Sep 11:S0020-6539(24)00203-X. doi: 10.1016/j.identj.2024.07.009. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Yasaman Mohammadi Kamalabadi¹, M Karen Campbell², Robert Gratton³, Abbas Jessani⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
² Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Children's Health Research Institute, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada; Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.
³ Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
⁴ Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Dentistry, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: abbas.jessani@schulich.uwo.ca.

PMID: 39266400
DOI: 10.1016/j.identj.2024.07.009

Abstract

Introduction and aims: Oral health conditions during pregnancy can negatively impact both mother and fetus, highlighting the importance of maintaining dental care. In Canada, significant disparities exist between general and dental healthcare access, with limited evidence on oral health status and dental care utilisation among pregnant women. This study aimed to provide initial insights into self-perceived oral health status and dental utilisation patterns among a vulnerable sample of pregnant women in southwestern Ontario.

Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited a convenient sample of pregnant women referred to the Family Medicine and Obstetrics Clinic, serving those without a family physician. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire adapted from the Canadian Health Measure Survey, the Canadian Community Health Survey, and the Survey of Maternal Health. Andersen and Newman's framework for health service utilisation was used as the theoretical framework. Descriptive and univariable analyses were conducted, followed by a forward stepwise selection of variables with p-values < 0.1 from the univariable analyses.

Results: One-hundred-fifty patients were approached and 130 (86.7%) completed the questionnaire. Of these, 96 (73.9%) reported their oral health as good/excellent while 34 (26.2%) reported having poor/fair oral health. Education level and quality of life were the strongest predictors of oral health status. While 101 (77.7%) visited a dentist within the last 2 years, only 35 (26.9%) had a dental visit during pregnancy. Toothbrushing frequency was the main predictor of time since last dental visit, with no other predictive factors once toothbrushing was considered.

Conclusion: The study sample showed relatively positive self-perceived oral health and dental visit patterns. However, the low rate of dental visits during pregnancy highlights the need for better integration of dental care into prenatal care. To ensure maternal and child health, pregnant women should be a high priority in policies aimed at improving access to dental care.

Keywords: Dental care; Healthcare utilisation; Oral health; Pregnancy; Public health.