Condições e práticas de saúde bucal e nível de conhecimento em saúde bucal materna e infantil entre gestantes de um município no interior do estado de Sergipe, Brasil

Abstract

This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study with a quantitative approach aimed at evaluating the oral health status and oral health practices, as well as the level of maternal and child oral health knowledge among pregnant women receiving care through Primary Health Care services in the municipality of Simão Dias, Sergipe, Brazil. To this end, a questionnaire was administered, and a clinical oral examination was performed by a properly trained and calibrated examiner. Statistical analysis comprised descriptive and inferential analyses. The mean age of the participants was 26.14 years. Regarding oral health practices, a heterogeneous pattern was observed, characterized by an adequate frequency of toothbrushing, but low daily use of dental floss, frequent consumption of sugary foods, and still limited access to dental care during pregnancy. The level of knowledge regarding oral health during pregnancy was considered moderate to high. The lowest percentage of correct responses was related to knowledge of the term *prenatal dental care* and the understanding that oral health problems during pregnancy should not be regarded as normal conditions. Knowledge of oral health in early childhood was predominantly moderate. Higher percentages of correct responses were observed for topics frequently addressed within the family environment and health services. However, important gaps were identified in specific preventive aspects, including the appropriate use of fluoride, the recommended timing of the first dental visit, the maternal habit of blowing on or tasting food using the same spoon as the child, the relationship between antibiotic use and dental caries, and the association between nighttime bottle-feeding and early childhood caries.The Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index showed a mean value of 6.9, indicating a moderate cumulative experience of dental caries. The filled (3.67) and missing (2.06) components contributed the most to the index, whereas the decayed component showed the lowest contribution (1.17). The PUFA index, which assessed the severity of untreated dental caries lesions, presented a mean value of 0.30, indicating a low frequency of the clinical consequences of dental caries. The prevalence of PUFA in the sample was 13.88%, with pulpal involvement being the predominant condition (83.33%). Regarding the Community Periodontal Index (CPI), a low frequency of healthy periodontal status (2.0%) and a predominance of shallow periodontal pockets (46.3%) were observed. When comparing pregnant women assisted by health teams with and without a dentist, no statistically significant differences were found regarding oral health practices, the level of maternal and child oral health knowledge, or clinical oral health status. Therefore, although the participants demonstrated predominantly moderate levels of oral health knowledge, important gaps related to the prevention of oral diseases during pregnancy and early childhood were identified. Furthermore, the high cumulative experience of dental caries and the predominance of periodontal alterations highlight the need to expand oral health education and dental care actions within the context of prenatal care.