The profile of high-risk pregnant women in prenatal dental care at a teaching hospital in Brazil

This study evaluated the epidemiological profile, dietary behavior, oral hygiene, and knowledge about prenatal dental care of high-risk pregnant women. The study sample consisted of 426 high-risk pregnant women who had prenatal care at a Brazilian teaching hospital (2017). For data collection, a questionnaire covering socioeconomic aspects, gestation, eating habits, and oral health was used. It was verified that 54.5% were aged between 19 and 29 years old, 40.6% had secondary education, 43.9% were housewives, and 72.7% earned a household income smaller than two minimum wages. Hypertension (20.4%) and gestational diabetes (18.5%) were the main risk factors for high-risk pregnancy. As for diet changes, 64.5% increased consumption of citrus fruits and 41.3% of sweets. Regarding dental care, 91.5% affirmed that it is safe to go to the dentist during pregnancy, 72.1% had visited a dentist during gestation, and 67.4% had heard about prenatal dental care. Among the respondents, 99.3% brush their teeth and 64.6% floss, daily, being gingival bleeding and xerostomia the main self-perceived oral changes. This study provides important information about the profile of high-risk pregnant women, especially regarding prenatal dental care, which allows the creation of health strategies emphasizing self-care, improving quality of life for the mother-child binomial.