title: Oral health experiences of pregnant and parenting adolescent women: a qualitative descriptive study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oral health may plan an important role in the general health of adolescents who are pregnant and parenting. However, little is known about the socio-behavioral and environmental experiences that may affect the adolescent woman's oral health and quality of life.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to explore oral health experiences among adolescent women who were pregnant and parenting.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a qualitative descriptive study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four adolescent women who were pregnant and parenting, 14-18 years of age, who read and spoke English and were enrolled in an alternative school-based program.
  
  
  METHODS
  Manifest and latent content analysis were conducted by hand with data from face-to-face interviews, observations, field notes, and reflective journaling. Member checks confirmed credibility of the qualitative findings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four themes emerged from the oral health data: perceptions, knowledge and practices, myths and misconceptions, and values.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nurses may play a key role in improving the oral health status of adolescents who are pregnant and parenting. Oral health should be a routine part of every general health assessment.
authors.affiliation: The University of Texas at Austin, School of Nursing, 1710 Red River, Austin, TX 78701-1499, United States. cmurphey@mail.nur.utexas.edu
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Murphey
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009909:Oral Health; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence; D036301:Qualitative Research; D015206:Southwestern United States