title: [Oral health knowledge and practices among pregnant women using health services in São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil, 2007-2008].
abstract: to describe characteristics of oral health care during prenatal check-ups and knowledge about oral health among pregnant women using public and private health services in São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil.
  
  
  
  this is a descriptive study of 300 women interviewed in public health services and a further 300 interviewed in private health services between August 2007 and July 2008.
  
  
  
  tooth brushing frequency was similar among users of public and private services (p=0.156), while flossing (64.0% and 47.0%; p<0.001) and mouthwashing (39.7% and 27.0%; p=0.001) was more frequent among private service users in relation to public service users; most users of public services (60.3%) and private services (65.7%) were unaware of the association between oral health and pregnancy.
  
  
  
  frequency of tooth brushing was similar among pregnant women in public and private services; the effects of pregnancy on oral health were not well known.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Departamento de Odontologia II, São Luís-MA, Brasil.
authors.forename: Fernanda Ferreira
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Curso de Graduação em Odontologia, São Luís-MA, Brasil.
authors.forename: Tafnes Valverde
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Curso de Graduação em Odontologia, São Luís-MA, Brasil.
authors.forename: Daniela Braga
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Odontologia, São Luís-MA, Brasil.
authors.forename: Nayra Rodrigues de Vasconcelos
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Calixto
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Departamento de Odontologia II, São Luís-MA, Brasil.
authors.forename: Cláudia Maria Coêlho
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Departamento de Odontologia II, São Luís-MA, Brasil.
authors.forename: Antônio Luiz Amaral
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Departamento de Odontologia II, São Luís-MA, Brasil.
authors.forename: Adriana de Fátima Vasconcelos
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Pereira
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D009909:Oral Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011247:Pregnancy; D037841:Pregnant People; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data