Awareness on the Association between Periodontal Diseases and Pregnancy Outcomes among Gynecologists: A Cross-sectional Study

Contributors: 1Associate Professor, Department of Periodontology, MNR Dental College & Hospital, Sangareddy, Hyderabad, Telangana, India; 2Associate Professor, Department of Periodontology, Government Dental College & Hospital, Hyderabad, Telangana, India; 3Professor, Department of Oral Medicine & Radiology, ACSR Government Medical College, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India; 4Post Graduate Student, Department of Periodontology, MNR Dental College & Hospital, Sangareddy, Hyderabad, Telangana, India. Correspondence: Dr. Satyanarayana KV. Department of Periodontology, MNR Dental College & Hospital, Sangareddy, Hyderabad, Telangana, India. Phone: +91-9703399776. Email: [email protected] How to cite the article: Satyanarayana KV, Bai YD, Aruna P, Sindhura N, Monisha GR, Sreenivasulu G. Awareness on the association between periodontal diseases and pregnancy outcomes among gynecologists: A crosssectional study. J Int Oral Health 2016;8(5):579-584. Abstract: Background: Studies showed periodontal diseases are risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes. Prenatal health care should include an assessment of oral health during pregnancy. Lack of awareness and attitudes regarding oral health leads to neonatal mortality and preterm low birth weight among infants. Finally, what needs to be realized is the key role of medical professionals in this aspect, to deliver appropriate and standard prenatal care to pregnant women. Hence, it is essential to evaluate the knowledge of medical health professionals about periodontitis and its association with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Hyderabad among gynecologists using a questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed to the gynecologists by e-mails, fax, and personal interactions and was requested to anonymously complete the questionnaire. Results: Among 112 respondents, 51.7% of them were aware of what is a periodontal disease, 57% of participants were aware of that pregnancy is a cause for preterm birth, 79.4% of gynecologists said that there was a correlation between health of the teeth, gums, and pregnancy, 65% of practitioners refer patients to the dentist when they are at risk, 75.7% of the participants were questioning their patients about their oral health during consultations, and only a few practitioners were referring, systematically their patient to a dentist. Knowledge of periodontitis is seen more in experienced practitioners with a hospital practice. Conclusions: Clinical behavior regarding oral and periodontal health did not correlate with such knowledge; therefore, specific educational programs should be developed to share knowledge between dentists and gynecologists to develop teamwork. Periodic dental visits during early phases of pregnancy can be proposed to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes and to improve oral health status in pregnant woman.