title: Oral Health Related Awareness and Practices among Pregnant Women in Bagalkot District, Karnataka, India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cumulative evidence in the dental literature strongly supports the fact that poor oral hygiene practices and inadequate attention toward oral health during pregnancy have an impact on developing the fetus and significant adverse postnatal effects. Available literature suggests that the research is deficit in assessing knowledge and practices related to exposure to radiation, use of medication and safe period for dental treatment during pregnancy. Assessing the knowledge and practices among pregnant women could be a valuable tool for policy makers to improve the oral health. To assess knowledge and practices of pregnant woman regarding oral health.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was a cross sectional survey. A total of 332 samples were selected by convenience sampling technique. A questionnaire containing 14 close-ended questions related to knowledge and practices pertaining to oral health during pregnancy along with sociodemographic data were used for collecting baseline information.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall level of knowledge and practice was 27.17% and 55%, respectively. Majority of respondents (89.10%) were not aware that gum diseases are common during pregnancy. Most of them (73.07%) were not aware of safe period for undergoing dental treatment during pregnancy. Only 19.87% were aware that exposure to high dose of radiation was hazardous to their babies. Around 18.6% did not brush when they experienced bleeding, 35.25% cleaned their teeth using finger.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The overall results suggest that knowledge and practices of pregnant women need to be greatly improved. All necessary measures should be taken for maintenance of oral hygiene and to avoid complications with the use of drugs and exposure to radiation.
authors: Reader, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Malla Reddy Institute of Dental Science, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
authors: Parappa
authors: P
authors: Sajjan
authors: Reader, Department of Periodontics, PMNM Dental College and Hospital, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India.
authors: Jyoti I
authors: JI
authors: Pattanshetti
authors: Senior Lecturer, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Malla Reddy Institute of Dental Science, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
authors: Chiyadu
authors: C
authors: Padmini
authors: Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, SN Medical College and Hospital, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India.
authors: Veeresh M
authors: VM
authors: Nagathan
authors: Senior Lecturer, Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Malla Reddy Institute of Dental Science, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
authors: Mangala
authors: M
authors: Sajjanar
authors: Dental Surgeon, PMNM Dental College and Hospital, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India.
authors: Taha
authors: T
authors: Siddiqui
keywords: Awareness; dental attendance; oral health and pregnancy