Dentists' Education, Knowledge, Attitudes and Behavior concerning the Effects of Pregnant Patients' Oral Health on Pregnancy Outcomes: A National Survey

Abstract

Objectives: Since 1996, there is empirical evidence that pregnant patients’ oral health and pregnancy outcomes are related. The objectives were to assess general dentists’ education, knowledge and professional behavior related to treating pregnant patients’ oral health and how COVID -19 affected dentists’ professional behavior related to the relationship between oral health and pregnancy outcomes Methods: 2,500 surveys were mailed to members of the American Dental Association; 96 were undeliverable and 253 were completed (Response rate: 10.52%). Results: About half of the respondents (50.2%) agreed/strongly agreed that they were well educated about treating pregnant patients in dental school. However, only about a third (34%) were satisfied with this education. The majority knew that periodontal disease was associated with preterm delivery (71.8%) and infants’ birth weight (69.3%), and that pregnant patients can safely undergo basic dental treatment (90%), tooth extractions (82.8%) and root canal treatment (90.3%). The majority delivered fillings (78.4%), periodontal treatment (69.2%) and root canal therapy (66.2%) to pregnant patients. Nearly all dentists delivered routine examinations and cleanings (94%) to these patients and discussed the importance of oral health during pregnancy (91.6%). A total of 38.6% was concerned about legal risks and 38.6% believed there were no guidelines for treating pregnant patients. COVID did not change treatment patterns for the majority of respondents. The better their dental school education was, the more knowledge they had about pregnant patients’ oral health care (r=0.19;p<0.001) and the more likely they were to deliver this care (r=0.30;p<0.001). Conclusions: Increasing educational efforts in dental school and continuing education about the effects of pregnant patients’ oral health on pregnancy outcomes is needed to improve related knowledge and professional behavior.