Conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas de embarazadas en control prenatal relacionadas con salud oral y embarazo, de mujeres que acuden a consulta externa del Hospital Gíneco Obstétrico Isidro Ayora

Abstract

This research explores knowledge, attitudes and practices (CAPs) of pregnant women who come to the Hospital Isidro Ayora (HGOIA), to understand their relationship with their oral health. This cross-sectional inferential study, carried out in August-September 2015 in the HGOIA External Oral Consultation, applied a survey that investigated: Socio-demographic data; Knowledge about pregnancy and oral health; Attitudes about dental care during pregnancy; and practical actions of oral health in pregnancy. The results indicate that pregnant women know what caries is and how to prevent it; they would be willing to undergo prophylaxis. However, they would go to the dentist by referral from the gynecologist, only when there is pain and whenever there is no risk (mother or baby); the highest proportion of women had an average of 4.2 caries, and all had periodontal disease. In conclusion, the oral health CAPs in pregnant women are influenced by sociodemographic factors, favoring or not the dental controls in pregnancy.