Microbiology-Based Instruction during Prenatal Dental Visits Improves Perinatal Oral Health Literacy.

ABSTRACT: To improve oral hygiene education, we evaluated the perception and potential impact of microbiology-focused oral hygiene instructions (OHI) given to pregnant patients. Dental hygienists provided this supplemental education and administered Saliva-Check Mutans (SCM) tests to pregnant patients (n = 188) in Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN) settings. Patients reported their self-perceived understanding of the relationship between oral bacteria and dental disease and returned postdelivery to receive a second SCM test and follow-up questionnaire (n = 47). Prior to the hygienist instruction, 84% of participants understood that bacteria caused tooth decay, while only 36% understood they could transfer these bacteria to their children. After instruction, patient understanding increased to 97% and

SUBMITTER: Thomson JJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8910304 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature