effect of socio-demographic factors on the oral health knowledge, attitude and behavior in a female population

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of socio-demographic variables and smoking habits on oral health knowledge, attitude and behavior in a female population. Five hundred twenty-eight mothers responded to a self-administered questionnaire. The results showed that 80.6% of the mothers believed that pregnancy had an effect on their teeth and gums, and more than one-third believed that they lost a tooth for every pregnancy. Working women of older age group and higher education, as well as larger parity and gravidity, indicated the latter attitude more frequently. About 72% of the women believed that pregnancy removed calcium from their teeth and this was a common belief among Saudi women with higher socio-economic status. Two-thirds of the respondents were aware that during pregnancy, their oral health could affect the fetal health and growth, but more than half did not know that tetracycline could affect their baby's teeth particularly among women with low education. In addition, more than half believed that dental visit was needed only when in pain, while 17.3% considered such visit not a necessity particularly those with low education but high parity and gravidity. Relative to mothers' behavior, 65.6% of the respondents took calcium and milk and 65.8% did not change their oral hygiene habits during pregnancy. Most of the women believed that there were "negative effects" of pregnancy on their oral health but nevertheless did not demonstrate adequate and proper concomitant oral hygiene practice and positive attitudes toward dental visits