Oral Health Conditions and Care Needs of Expectant Females in Warri, Nigeria

Abstract

Objective: This appraisal was performed to define the dental health condition and care exigencies of expectant mothers in Warri, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional scrutiny involved self-reported questionnaires and oral examination. The subjects were 542 gravid females who are Nigerians, aged 10 to 50 years. The dental health condition and care exigencies of the gestating females that presented at the antenatal facility of the Central Hospital, Warri were investigated.

Results: The preponderance of cariosity and periodontal infections was 22.5% and 26.7%, respectively. Gingival bleeding was observed in 26.7% and calculus in 86.5%. Findings revealed that 48 (22.5%) of the pregnant females needed dental amalgam, 56 (26.3%) stood in need of extraction attributable to caries and 56 (26.7%) required scaling, polishing and dental hygiene instructions. A larger number of the attendees (63.5%) had fair oral hygiene, even though 88.2% had gingivitis.

Conclusion: The dental health statuses of the pregnant Nigerian women were poor with numerous treatment needs. Pregnancy has a definite impact on the oral health status.