evaluation of the oral health status and needs for periodontal treatment in pregnant women

statement of the problem some studies reveal that pregnancy can be considered to be a risk factor for periodontal disease, due to increased levels of estrogens and progesterone. propose of this study was to determine oral health changes during pregnancy, using the community periodontal index for treatment needs (cpitn). material & methods this descriptive cross-sectional study was done on 95 pregnant women and 102 non-pregnant ones, matched in term of age, as control. the participants were examined, using cpitn probe, and the data were recorded in a standard questionnaire. the different codes of cpitn were determined according to the who recommendations. furthermore, the incidence of inflammation, pocket and plaque index was assessed. all the data from two groups were compared statistically by chi-square test. results pregnant women exhibited more significant need for advanced periodontal treatment compared to non-pregnant ones (33.7% and 26.5% respectively. p<0.0001). seventy-three and half percent of control women demonstrated no need for periodontal treatment but 41.5% of pregnant women needed periodontal treatment 56.8% of pregnant women showed gingival inflammation but only 44.1% of controls exhibited this phenomenon. furthermore, pregnant women exhibited signs of pocket formation more than controls (47.4% and 38.2%, respectively, p<0.05) conclusion under the study limitations, during the pregnancy the susceptibility of the pregnant women to gingival inflammation and periodontal disease increase, and of course, significant increase in values of periodontal treatment may (cpttn codes) is observed during gestation.