Referral of pregnant women to dentists and advice for dental visit by medical nurses

ABSTRACT

Objective: Dental attendance among pregnant women has been low although they frequently experience oral health problems. Nurses who provide antenatal health care are well positioned to advise and refer their pregnant patients to dentists. this study aimed to assess the practices of medical nurses regarding advice for dental visits and referral of their pregnant patients to dentists. Methods: A total of 202 medical nurses who provide antenatal health care at Ministry of Health facilities in the district of Kota bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia were included in this cross-sectional study. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on variables of interest. Results: Most nurses frequently advised (90.6%) and referred (91.1%) their pregnant patients to dentists, although some (9.4%) advised their patients to defer dental visits until after parturition. Multivariable analysis indicated that individuals who worked as nurses for 10 years or fewer and had their own dental visits within the past year were more likely to advise their patients to see dentists with adjusted OR of 3.98 (95% cI=1.37-11.54) and 2.58 (95% cI=0.99-6.70) respectively. Nurses who visited dentists within the past year were also more likely to make dental referrals (OR=3.46, 95% cI=1.32-9.10). conclusions: Most nurses routinely advise and refer their pregnant patients for dental visits. the time since a nurse’s last personal dental visit was associated with their advice and referral of patients to dentists, and duration employment as a nurse was associated with advising patients for dental visits.