title: What do antenatal care providers understand and do about oral health care during pregnancy: a cross-sectional survey in New South Wales, Australia.
abstract: There is mounting evidence to support the lack of awareness among pregnant women about health consequences and long term risks associated with poor oral hygiene during pregnancy. A recognised and important point of influence is their interaction with health professionals, particularly when receiving Antenatal Care. However, there is limited evidence about the perceptions of ANC providers in Australia toward the provision of perinatal oral healthcare. This study was undertaken to explore the knowledge, attitudes and practices of Antenatal Care (ANC) providers in New South Wales (NSW), Australia providing perinatal oral healthcare and to identify barriers to and predictors of their practices in this area.
  
  
  
  A cross sectional survey was undertaken of ANC providers (general practitioners, obstetricians/gynaecologists and midwives) practising in NSW, Australia. Participants were recruited through their professional organisations via email, postal mail, and networking at conferences. The survey addressed the domains of knowledge, attitude, barriers and practices towards oral healthcare, along with demographics. Data was entered into SPSS software and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
  
  
  
  A total of 393 surveys (17.6% response rate) were completed comprising 124 general practitioners, 74 obstetricians/gynaecologists and 195 midwives. The results showed limited knowledge among ANC providers regarding the impact of poor maternal oral health on pregnancy/infant outcomes. Most (99%) participants agreed that maternal oral health was important yet few were discussing the importance of oral health or advising women to visit a dentist (16.4-21.5%). Further, less than a third felt they had the skills to provide oral health advice during pregnancy. ANC providers who were more knowledgeable about maternal oral health, had training and information in this area and greater experience, were more likely to engage in practices addressing the oral health of pregnant women.
  
  
  
  The findings suggest that ANC providers in NSW are not focussing on oral health with pregnant women. ANC providers seem willing to discuss oral health if they have appropriate education/training and information in this area. Further research at a national level is required to confirm whether these findings are similar in all Australian states.
authors.affiliation: Collaboration for Oral Health Outcomes, Research Translation and Evaluation (COHORTE) Research Group, Western Sydney University, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Ingham Institute Applied Medical Research,University of Sydney, Locked Bag 7103, Liverpool, 1871, Australia. a.george@westernsydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: Ajesh
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-6795-2546
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: George
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing & Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Ingham Institute Applied Medical Research, Parramatta, 2150, Australia.
authors.forename: Hannah G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Dahlen
authors.affiliation: Peter Brennan Chair of General Practice, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Parramatta, 2150, Australia.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Reath
authors.affiliation: Sydney Local Health District Oral Health Services, Sydney Dental Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, 2010, Australia.
authors.forename: Shilpi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ajwani
authors.affiliation: Sydney Local Health District Oral Health Services, Sydney Dental Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, 2010, Australia.
authors.forename: Sameer
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bhole
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Parramatta, 2150, Australia.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Korda
authors.affiliation: Centre for Nursing Research and Practice Development, Western Sydney University, Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District, Penrith, 2751, Australia.
authors.forename: Harrison Ng
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Chok
authors.affiliation: College of Professional Psychology, Crows Nest, 2065, Australia.
authors.forename: Charmaine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Miranda
authors.affiliation: COHORTE Research Group, Western Sydney University, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Ingham Institute Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, 1871, Australia.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Villarosa
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Ingham Institute Applied Medical Research, Sydney, 2060, Australia.
authors.forename: Maree
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D037001:Directive Counseling; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008880:Midwifery; D009517:New South Wales; D009774:Obstetrics; D009909:Oral Health / Q000193:education; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011295:Prenatal Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Antenatal; Antenatal care; Dentists; Oral health; Perinatal; Pregnant women