Oral Health Knowledge, Barriers to Dental Care, and Awareness of a Medicaid Pregnancy Dental Coverage Among Reproductive-Age Women

Author(s):  
Shillpa Naavaal ◽  
Caroline K. Carrico ◽  
Tiffany L. Williams ◽  
Tegwyn H. Brickhouse ◽  
Sarah E. Raskin
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 131
Author(s):  
Muhammad Azim Syahmi Kamaruddin ◽  
Norsamsu Arni Samsudin

Mothers play a very significant role in influencing the oral health status of the family. Many studies have highlighted the importance of good oral health during pregnancy. This study aimed to assess knowledge, self-perceived oral health status, and practices of antenatal mothers in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia. A total of 76 antenatal mothers visiting Obstetrics & Gynaecology specialist clinic at Hospital USM were involved in this cross-sectional survey study. The questionnaires contained items related to oral health knowledge, self-perceived dental problems, barriers to seeking dental care, oral hygiene habits, perceptions of oral health, and access to dental care. Majority (98.7%) agreed that their oral health was important as part of general health. About 58% of them had answered correctly regarding oral health knowledge. Most respondents had self-perceptions of having dental problems during pregnancy, including cavitated teeth (34.4%) and sensitive teeth (20.5%). Regarding practice, only 35.3% visited a dentist in the last six months. Time constraints (52.4%) and safety concerns regarding dental treatment (26.2%) were the main barriers to seek dental care. Many (90%) brushed their teeth at least twice daily with adult fluoridated toothpaste, while some used mouthwash daily (36.8%) and flossed their teeth (11.8%). Antenatal mothers had an average level of knowledge regarding oral health, experienced dental problems during pregnancy and lacked awareness of a regular dental visit. Hence, there is a need for more vigorous oral health promotion, which also include antenatal care providers, to improve oral health awareness among antenatal mothers.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 842-842
Author(s):  
Prajakta Joshi ◽  
Kadambari Rawal

Abstract Globally, poor oral health has been evidenced more frequently among older adults. Thus, it is imperative to develop strategies for improving the oral health knowledge and access to dental care amongst the older adult population. The Saving Senior Smiles (S3) pilot outreach program was launched as an oral health education and awareness program for community-dwelling older adults across senior centers in the greater Boston area (Massachusetts, USA). The outreach consisted of oral health educational seminars presented by pre- doctoral dental students from three dental schools in the Boston area. The presentations highlighted the significance of oral health, and the importance of seeking routine dental care. Pre and post-test surveys were administered to assess the participants’ utilization of oral health services and oral health knowledge. The surveys were completed by 85 older adults (Female= 58.8%) across five senior centers. Questions pertaining to utilization of dental services revealed that 78.8% of the participants had a dentist. Expectedly, the center that reported the greatest number of missing teeth (Fenway center= 70.6%) had the least number of individuals who had a dentist (58.3%). With regard to oral health knowledge, before the seminars, less than half of the participants (42.2% ) across all the senior centers were aware of the common oral conditions that affected older adults ( dry mouth, gum recession and changes in oral bacteria) and after the presentation over 60% of the participants responded correctly to these knowledge questions. Overall, these findings emphasize the value of simple community-based interventions for older adults.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reisha Rafeek ◽  
Visha Ramroop ◽  
Ramaa Balkaran ◽  
Anne Kowlessar ◽  
Arlana Bissoon ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The effects of physiological changes that occur during pregnancy on oral tissues have been well documented. The oral health status, practices, knowledge and periodontal status of pregnant women has not been studied before in Trinidad. The aim of this study is to report that of pregnant women in a maternity hospital in Trinidad.Methods A descriptive oral health survey involving a self-administered questionnaire was undertaken from a convenience sample of pregnant women who attended a maternity hospital in Trinidad. A simple oral health examination took place at the School of Dentistry clinic. Data included education and employment status, medical and dental history, frequency and reason for dental attendance, and the patients’ perceived oral health status, knowledge and practices. Examination included the Basic Periodontal Examination (BPE). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24.0 and ethical approval was obtained by the University of the West Indies Campus Ethics Committee.Results One hundred and sixty one pregnant women participated and 79.5% were between the ages 26 to 45. Fifty seven per cent attended high school and 58.1% were employed. Nearly 60% rated their oral health as average or good. The majority of women (91.9%) did not attend the dentist routinely. Almost half (46.0%) of the participants said safety concerns with dental treatment during pregnancy would prevent them from seeking care. 54.7% said the cost of dental treatment would act as a barrier to care. The majority had good oral health knowledge for flossing (97.5%) however 37.3% thought that dental care should be avoided during pregnancy unless it was an emergency. Nearly 60% had some form of periodontitis mild (34.2%) or moderate to severe (25.2%). Significant associations found between level of education and brushing, and also between age and smoking, use of mouthwash and BPE.Conclusions Although oral health knowledge in areas of tooth brushing, flossing and need for attending the dentist was good, in other areas there were serious misconceptions such as dental care should be avoided during pregnancy. Understanding oral health needs of pregnant women can guide oral health promotion and delivery of preventive care and potentially improve pregnancy outcomes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-40
Author(s):  
Sabha Alshatrat ◽  
Isra AL Bakri ◽  
Wael AL Omari ◽  
Abedelmalek Tabnjh

Aim: The study aimed to assess oral health knowledge, dental behaviors, and use of dental services in individuals with vision impairment in Jordan and identify barriers that affect their access to dental care in comparison with individuals without vision impairment. Materials and Methods: A case-control study was carried out among 399 parents/caregivers of individuals with vision impairment and individuals without vision impairment, which involved the completion of a self-designed questionnaire. A closed-ended, validated self-designed questionnaire was distributed. The questionnaire included questions addressing participants’ oral health knowledge, oral health behaviour, dental service use and barriers to accessing dental care. Data were analyzed using SPSS® software Version 22 with a 0.05 level of significance. A Chi-square test and contingency-table analysis were performed on the data. Results: Individuals with vision impairment in Jordan were significantly less knowledgeable about different oral health aspects than sighted counterparts. In addition, individuals with vision impairment used toothbrush, dental floss, and mouth rinse less frequently. They also visited dentists less regularly and mostly when only feeling pain. Limited access to dental services was observed among individuals with vision impairment compared to sighted individuals. Barriers, including embarrassment (22%), lack of knowledge of how to treat people with disabilities among dentists (12.5%), and inadequate facilities (13.7%), were significantly (P<0.05) more likely to be reported by visually impaired participants than the controls. Conclusion: Visually impaired individuals and their families should be given appropriate education about oral health care by oral health professionals to reduce the risk of having dental problems and oral disease and enhance their quality of life. Furthermore, recognizing the challenges in accessing dental care for this population could help oral health professionals to minimize these difficulties.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (SPL3) ◽  
pp. 1598-1604
Author(s):  
Dhivya Sri E ◽  
Hannah R

Oral health care is the foundation upon which preventive evaluation and dental care must be built to enhance the opportunity for life free of preventable and oral diseases. The purpose of the study was to determine the oral health care and disease prevention among the Tiruvannamalai population. Self - administered questions were prepared. The questions were distributed in google forms, and 100 participants participated. The data was entered and statistically analysed. In this study, 88% maintain oral health as an integral part of our everyday practice. 65.1% maintain good oral health by using a toothbrush and paste, and 11% are flossing their teeth daily. 33% are cleaning the teeth to prevent dental disease. Within the limitations of the study, we can conclude that oral health knowledge among the Tiruvannamalai Population was considerably lower than what would be expected. Still, they showed a positive attitude toward oral healthcare.


Author(s):  
Prakash Poudel ◽  
Rhonda Griffiths ◽  
Amit Arora ◽  
Vincent W. Wong ◽  
Jeff R. Flack ◽  
...  

This study assessed self-reported oral health status, knowledge, and behaviours of people living with diabetes along with barriers and facilitators in accessing dental care. A cross sectional survey of 260 patients from four public diabetes clinics in Sydney, Australia was undertaken using a 35-item questionnaire. Data were analysed using SPSS software with descriptive and logistic regression analyses. More than half (53.1%) of respondents reported having dental problems which negatively impacted their related quality of life. Less than half (45%) had adequate oral health knowledge. Only 10.8% reported receiving any oral health information in diabetes care settings, which had higher odds of demonstrating adequate oral health knowledge (AOR, 2.60; 95% CI, 1.06–6.34). Similarly, 62.7% reported seeing a dentist in the last 12 months. Having private health insurance (AOR, 3.70; 95% CI, 1.85–7.40) had higher odds of seeing a dentist in the past 12 months. Dental costs were a major contributor to avoiding or delaying dental visit. Patients living with diabetes have unmet oral health needs particularly around the awareness of its importance and access to affordable dental services. Diabetes care providers can play a crucial role in this area by promoting oral health to their patients.


Author(s):  
Angela G. Brega ◽  
Rachel L. Johnson ◽  
Luohua Jiang ◽  
Anne R. Wilson ◽  
Sarah J. Schmiege ◽  
...  

In cross-sectional studies, parental health literacy (HL) is associated with children’s oral health. It is unclear, however, whether HL influences pediatric outcomes. We examined the relationship of HL with change over time in parental oral health knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors, as well as pediatric oral health outcomes. We used longitudinal data from a study designed to reduce dental decay in American Indian children (N = 579). At baseline and annually for three years, parents answered questions assessing HL; oral health knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors; and pediatric oral health status. The number of decayed, missing, and filled tooth surfaces (dmfs) was computed based on annual dental evaluations. Linear mixed models showed that HL was significantly associated with all constructs, except dmfs, at their reference time points and persistently across the three-year study period. HL predicted change over time in only one variable, parents’ belief that children’s oral health is determined by chance or luck. HL is strongly associated with oral health knowledge, beliefs, behaviors, and status prospectively but is not a key driver of change over time in these oral health constructs.


Author(s):  
Angela G Brega ◽  
Rachel L Johnson ◽  
Sarah J Schmiege ◽  
Anne R Wilson ◽  
Luohua Jiang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Health literacy (HL) is the “ability to find, understand, evaluate and put information to use to improve decision making and, ultimately, improve health and quality of life.” Parents with limited HL are less likely to follow recommended parental oral health behaviors. Purpose We tested a theoretical framework designed to clarify mechanisms through which HL may influence parental oral health behavior. The framework proposed that HL: (a) has a direct effect on parental oral health knowledge, beliefs (i.e. self-efficacy; perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers), and behavior; (b) influences beliefs indirectly through knowledge; and (c) influences behavior indirectly through knowledge and beliefs. Methods We analyzed cross-sectional data from a randomized controlled trial designed to reduce dental decay in American Indian children (N = 521). Parents completed survey questions assessing sociodemographic characteristics, HL, and parental oral health knowledge, beliefs, and behavior. Path analysis was used to test the framework. Results HL exerted significant direct effects on knowledge and beliefs but not behavior. HL had significant indirect effects on all beliefs through knowledge. Significant indirect effects of HL on behavior occurred through self-efficacy (estimate: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.42, 1.83, p = .005), perceived barriers (estimate: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.29, 1.43, p = .010), knowledge to self-efficacy (estimate: 0.57, 95% CI: .31, 0.98, p = .001), and knowledge to perceived barriers (estimate: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.09, 0.47, p = .012). Conclusions HL exerted an indirect effect on parental oral health behavior, with knowledge, self-efficacy, and perceived barriers being the primary constructs linking HL to behavior.


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