Oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices of pregnant women in South China: a cross-sectional prenatal survey

Abstract Background The physiological changes that occur during pregnancy make women more susceptible to oral diseases. The oral health of pregnant women is closely associated with the health of their new-borns. This cross-sectional survey aimed to evaluate the oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of pregnant women in South China. Methods From June 2016 to June 2017, pregnant women visiting the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University and Hospital of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University were administered a cross-sectional survey on oral health. Results In the survey, more than 90% acknowledged the importance of brushing and gargling, while approximately half were aware of the benefits of fluoride (48.36%) and pit and fissure sealant (50.29%). Older women residing in local towns, who had higher levels of education and income, and who possessed medical insurance covering dental care, demonstrated better oral health knowledge in various areas (all P < 0.05). Only 9.28% underwent regular oral check-ups before pregnancy. The primary reason cited for refusing oral check-ups before pregnancy were the lack of dental issues (51.84%) and insufficient time (30.56%). In addition, a large proportion (87.23%) of pregnant women brushed their teeth at least twice a day, while some also flossed (17.79%) and gargled (43.71%) to maintain their oral hygiene.Most pregnant women obtained oral health information from books and newspapers (50.10%), online media (48.55%), and medical professionals (45.65%). Conclusions In conclusion, most pregnant women demonstrated good KAP in regard to general oral health. However, several influencing factors, such as age, residency, education level, household income, and medical insurance might affect the KAP of pregnant women concerning their oral health.