Oral health status and barriers to utilization of dental services among pregnant women in Sunsari, Nepal: A cross-sectional study

Objectives: This study was conducted to assess oral hygiene practices, oral health status and barriers to utilization of oral health care services among pregnant mothers attending two family health care clinics in Sunsari, Nepal.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 139 women using a purposive sampling technique. The data collection was done using a pretested standard semi-structured questionnaire. Face-to-face interviews of the participants were done by a single investigator in the local language (Nepali). The examination was done using a mouth mirror and CPI probe for periodontal status, loss of attachment and dentition status, and treatment needs.Results: The majority of pregnant mothers brushed their teeth once a day or less than once a day (n = 106, 76.3%) and self-reported perceived oral health status was poor/fair (n = 93, 66.9%). The prevalence of dental caries was found to be 69.8%. Bleeding on probing was present in all participants. DMFT, presence of bleeding on probing and increased periodontal pocket was significantly high among women who had self-reported their oral health problems in comparison to those who had not reported any problem. The most common barriers reported by the participants were a lack of knowledge of dental checkups and a lack of perceived need for dental care during pregnancy.Conclusions: There was a high prevalence of dental caries and periodontal disease. Lack of knowledge and perceived need for dental care were the major barriers found in this study. Hence, this directs towards the utmost need for improvement in awareness level as well as oral hygiene practices.