Educating pregnant women and their children on oral hygiene
Date
2022-04-15Author
Baalman, Lauren
Forcum, Cassie
Thompson, Maria
Burroughs, Jade
Advisor
Martin, Julie L.Metadata
Show full item recordCitation
Baalman, Lauren; Forcum, Cassie; Thompson, Maria; Burroughs, Jade. 2022.
Educating pregnant women and their children on oral hygiene -- In Proceedings: 21st Annual Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Forum. Wichita, KS: Wichita State University, p. 7
Abstract
Problem Statement: The lack of oral health education in pregnant women and
their children is an overarching concern and the implementation of specific educationalbased
programs may provide improvements in this population. Purpose: This project
focuses on information collected about the knowledge pregnant women, mothers, and
their children have around the benefits of establishing a good oral hygiene routine.
Methods: A review of national data using the National Center for Biotechnology
Information (NCBI) databases and eight journal articles was performed to assess the oral
health resources and needs of pregnant women, mothers, and their children. Results:
There is a lack of knowledge regarding pregnant women, their oral health and the oral
health of their child/children. Many oral changes are seen during pregnancy that include
gingivitis, gingival hyperplasia, salivary changes, and pyogenic granulomas. In pregnant
women, gingivitis, an early stage of periodontal disease, may be aggravated by changing
hormones during pregnancy. Women of childbearing age have an increased risk for
untreated cavities. Children of mothers who have high levels of untreated cavities or
tooth loss are more likely to have cavities. Conclusions: Suggestions for programs to
expand and educate multiple women and their children’s oral health knowledge would be
through daily classes that could be offered in community centers.
Additional information could also be gathered from different income levels to see if there
are further discrepancies regarding oral health within pregnant women, mothers, and their
children in order to expand on these educational programs.
Description
Presented to the 21st Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Forum (URCAF) held at the Rhatigan Student Center, Wichita State University, April 15, 2022.