Modification of oral hygiene in pregnant women by means of an educational intervention

Abstract

Background: it is necessary to educate people to reduce the incidence of gum disease, especially in priority groups such as pregnant women. The increase of knowledge in this respect represents one of the pillars for a better oral health.
Objective: to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention to modify the state of the oral health in pregnant women seen at “3 de Octubre" Teaching Dental Clinic.
Methods: an educational intervention was carried out with pregnant women seen at the dental clinic herein mentioned, between June, 2012 and June, 2014. The study population consisted of 80 patients. The variables measured were: oral hygiene, using the Lōe and Silness index for oral hygiene; and level of knowledge, using the scale of good, fair and poor. An educational intervention on educational issues was performed, with participation didactic games such as puzzles, crosswords, dominoes and chats. Knowledge was assessed and the state of oral health before and after the intervention was evaluated.
Results: at the beginning of the intervention a 95 % of the patients were affected by gum disease; after applying the educational intervention knowledge by pregnant women increased and gum disease was reduced, affecting a lower number of patients, 87,5 %.
Conclusions: gum disease reduction was achieved with the implementation of actions of health education, but it was not as effective as expected.