Oral care during pregnancy: Dentists knowledge, attitude and behaviour in treating pregnant patients at dental clinics of Bengaluru, India

IntroductionOral health of pregnant women is of utmost important to dental health practitioners. Even among healthy women the physiological changes that accompany pregnancy can lead to gingivitis, periodontitis and at times benign lesions. Preventive, emergency and routine dental procedures are all suitable during various phases of pregnancy, with some treatment modifications and initial planning.ObjectivesThis study was undertaken to understand the dentist's knowledge, behaviour, attitude and beliefs towards treating pregnant patients.Materials and methodsA self administered questionnaire study was conducted among dental health practitioners in Bengaluru city. Two hundred and fifty dental practitioners participated. Knowledge, behaviour, attitude and beliefs were recorded using thirty seven itemed questionnaire.ResultsDescriptive and chi square analysis was done. The p-value was set at 0.05. Second trimester was rated as the safest to provide all dental treatment. The type of the practice had effect on the treatment decision making of dentists and drug administration (p < 0.05). Participants believed that dental treatment should be part of prenatal care. Counselling pregnant patients is important and that continuous dental education program should be conducted.ConclusionThe participating dentists exhibited limited knowledge about appropriate management of the pregnant patients.