title: Oral health knowledge and awareness among pregnant women in India: A systematic review.
abstract: Pregnancy is a unique period during a woman's life and is characterized by complex physiological changes, which may adversely affect oral health. The present systematic review was conducted to assess knowledge and awareness regarding oral health among pregnant women in India. Relevant cross-sectional observational studies were included in the systematic review to assess the level of knowledge and awareness regarding oral health among pregnant women in India. Seven studies out of 255 were finally included in the present review after conducting both electronic and manual search of scientific databases. Potential biases were reported and appropriate data were extracted by the concerned investigators. Almost 67% of the subjects had good knowledge and awareness regarding oral health in one of the study findings. Knowledge regarding effect of decayed teeth on the appearance of the people was significantly related to the parity status of the subjects (P = 0.024) in other study reports. Very few subjects (17.1% and 37.5%) felt the need for visiting a dentist during pregnancy in two studies. The results of the present review showed that pregnant women had poor knowledge and awareness regarding oral health. Therefore, there is an urgent need for education and motivation of expectant mothers regarding oral health through various health promotion interventions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Dentistry, Rayat and Bahra Dental College and Hospital, Sahauran, Mohali, Punjab, India.
authors.forename: Ramandeep Singh
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Gambhir
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Laxmi Bai Institute of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Patiala, Punjab, India.
authors.forename: Ashutosh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nirola
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Dentistry, MM University, Mullana, Ambala, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: Tarun
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Seema Dental College and Hospital, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India.
authors.forename: Tegbir Singh
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Sekhon
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Rayat and Bahra Dental College and Hospital, Sahauran, Mohali, Punjab, India.
authors.forename: Samir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Anand
keywords: Adverse pregnancy outcomes; low-birth weight baby; oral health awareness; oral hygiene; premature delivery