ABSTRACT
Objectives To identify how readily accessible dental care is to a sample of pregnant women in King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC), Jeddah, and to determine any potential obstacles to receiving dental care while pregnant. Methodology Female patients visiting antenatal clinics in KAMC in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia were the target group for this cross-sectional study. The age range was limited to childbearing age (18-48 years old). Both pregnant and non-pregnant women were established in obstetrics and gynecology clinics. The pattern of dental service use and attitude toward dental treatment during pregnancy were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. Other data were gathered, such as demographics, education, employment status, and the number of live births. Results This study included 361 participants in the survey with an 80% response rate. A large proportion of participants was in the age group of 19 to 35 years old (75.07%; p-value < 0.0001), holding undergraduate degrees (58.17%; p-value < 0.0001), housewives (77.56%; p-value < 0.0001), married (99.45%; p-value < 0.0001), non-pregnant women (75.07%; p-value < 0.0001), and have three or more children (42.94%; p-value < 0.0001). About two-thirds of the participants reported using private hospitals for their dental services (65.37%; p-value < 0.0001), while 22.03% (p-value < 0.0001) of the participants reported visiting a dentist in the last six months and 7.2% (p-value < 0.0001) visited a dentist during pregnancy. In terms of awareness questions, 72.02% (p-value < 0.0001) reported that if the mother did not eat well, the baby takes calcium from the mother's teeth, 43.77% (p-value < 0.0001) reported brushing teeth at least three times a day, and 42.94% (p-value < 0.0001) of women reported that they do not have an idea about what they need to do if a pregnant woman needs treatment that requires taking X-rays. Similar patterns were observed in other awareness answers. Conclusion Based on the study's findings, there is a significantly low rate of dental care utilization in the sample of pregnant women. We conclude that educated women are more likely to maintain good oral hygiene and are more satisfied with their oral health. However, a large proportion of participants reported dental problems during their pregnancy. In general, a lack of knowledge about the safety of dental care during pregnancy is the main obstacle to seeking dental care. Limitations The selected sample was from antenatal clinics in KAMC & Primary Healthcare, National Guard, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. As a result, the findings of this study cannot be applied to the total female population of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Because the information was self-reported, which is a common issue with self-administered questionnaires, and because participation in the study was voluntary and participant confidentiality was maintained, there is a low chance that the data may be subject to recall or response bias.
ABSTRACT
Background Early detection and management of ectopic eruption (EE) of first permanent molars (FPMs) are crucial to avoid complicated treatments later. Aim This study aimed to assess the prevalence and severity of EE of FPMs among children in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Methods This retrospective study was based on a radiographic evaluation of 1,008 dental panoramic radiographs performed for children attending the Dental Educational Hospital at Umm Al-Qura University and the Security Forces Hospital in Makkah. Patients' age, sex, tooth location, and severity of EE were assessed. The study adhered to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guideline for cross-sectional studies. Results Of the 1,008 reviewed cases, 18 (1.79%) were diagnosed with EE of FPMs. Among the 11 male patients, 81.82% showed severe EE, while 57.14% exhibited moderately severe EE among the seven female patients. The prevalences of EE in the maxilla and mandible were 1.59% and 0.20%, respectively. In contrast, the occurrence of EE of FPMs was similar between the right and left sides. Conclusion In this study, the prevalence of EE of FPMs among children in Makkah was 1.79%. The frequency and severity were both greater in male patients compared to female patients. While significantly more EE of FPMs was observed in the maxilla than in the mandible, there was no significant difference between the right and left sides.
