title: Periodontal Status and Some Variables among Pregnant Women in a Nigeria Tertiary Institution.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gingival changes during pregnancy have been well-documented. The prevalence of gingivitis in pregnant women has reportedly ranged from 30% to 100%. Increase in both the rate of estrogen metabolism and synthesis of prostaglandins by the gingiva contributed to the gingival changes observed during pregnancy. In effect increased prevalence of dental caries, gingivitis, periodontitis and tooth mobility may be encountered in pregnancy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the study was to determine the association of some variables and the periodontal status in a sample of pregnant women attending the Ante Natal Clinic (ANC) of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, Lagos.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women at various stages of pregnancy, attending the ANC of LASUTH, constituted the target population. The questionnaire was administered on each patient followed by dental examinations. Periodontal status was assessed using the community periodontal index (CPI) of treatment needs. Oral hygiene status was evaluated according to Green and Vermilion simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-S).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The association between the CPI scores; OHI-S scores and variables such as trimester and dental visits were statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study indicated that the gestational age of pregnancy and dental visits have a definite impact on the periodontal status. Oral health education should be included as an integral part of antenatal care to increase the women awareness. This would improve the mothers' dental care-seeking behavior.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Dentistry, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Oo
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Onigbinde
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Dentistry, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Me
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sorunke
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Dentistry, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Mo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Braimoh
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Dentistry, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ao
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Adeniyi
keywords: Oral hygiene; Periodontal status; Pregnant women; Variables