Evaluation of Periodontal Health Knowledge, Attitude and Oral Hygiene Practice of Pregnant Women in Yazd in 2011

Background and aims. Periodontal disease is an inflammatory response in periodontal tissues, which results in tissue destruction, bone loss and eventually tooth loss. Periodontal disease has the potential to affect pregnancy outcomes such as premature birth, low birth weight and preeclampsia. The aim of this study was to assess periodontal health knowledge, attitude, and practice of pregnant women in relation to the association between periodontal disease and pregnancy outcomes in Yazd, Iran in 2011. Materials and methods. A total of 149 pregnant women in different stages of pregnancy were randomly selected. A 23-item questionnaire was designed by authors to assess periodontal health knowledge, attitude and oral hygiene practice of pregnant women. Data were analyzed by ANOVA, chi-squared test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient using SPSS statistical package. Results. The results showed that 48.3% of women had moderate knowledge, 85.9% had moderate attitude and the majority of the women (49%) practiced oral hygiene in a moderate level. Among all the participants only 7.9% had been referred by gynecologists to dentists. Conclusion. According to the results of this study the mean scores of periodontal health knowledge, attitude and oral hygiene practice were at moderate level.