title: Knowledge, attitude and practises of dentists towards oral health care during pregnancy: A cross sectional survey in New South Wales, Australia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies internationally show a lack of consensus among dentists regarding perinatal oral health yet no study in Australia has explored the perceptions of dentists in this area. This study aims to determine the knowledge, perceptions and practises of dentists in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, about perinatal oral health.
  
  
  METHODS
  An online survey was distributed to 1357 members of the Australian Dental Association (NSW) and 185 (13.4%) completed surveys were returned.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most dentists (99%) stated that pregnant women should receive a dental check, yet only 20% agreed that there was a good understanding among health professionals on this topic. Dentists were aware of safe dental practises during pregnancy but had limited knowledge about the association between periodontal disease and birth outcomes. Dentists were more likely to advise pregnant women to delay dental visits when there was a perceived lack of knowledge of the risks involved (odds ratio, 2.157) or were concerned about providing treatment without consent from their general practitioner (odds ratio, 2.449). Most dentists (95.7%) stated that they wanted further information about dental care during pregnancy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings suggest a need for continuing education for dentists and practise guidelines on perinatal oral health. Further research with a national sample is recommended to confirm these findings.
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, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: A
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6795-2546
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: George
authors.affiliation: Sydney Local Health District Oral Health Services, Sydney Dental Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ajwani
authors.affiliation: Sydney Local Health District Oral Health Services, Sydney Dental Hospital/University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bhole
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University/Ingham Institute Applied Medical Research, Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: H G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Dahlen
authors.affiliation: Peter Brennan Chair of General Practice, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Reath
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: A
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, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ng Chok
authors.affiliation: College of Professional Psychology, Crows Nest, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: C
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, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Villarosa
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Ingham Institute Applied Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003815:Dentists / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D009909:Oral Health; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D019239:Practice Patterns, Dentists' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Antenatal care; dentists; oral health; perinatal; pregnancy