Profile of Londrina's gynecologists and obstetritians regarding pregnant women's dental health

Abstract

This research aims at establishing a profile of the gynecologists/obstetricians from Londrina regarding the pregnant women s dental health, in order to obtain support to build up an integrated plan of action based on the concept of health promotion as well as on the context of general health Attempts were made to define some personal data and professional background and to identify procedures of dental interest routine applied to the pregnant woman (oral exam, forwardness to the dental surgeon, precautions for the cavity prevention and periodontal disease), as well as to knowledge about dental issues (etiology of the periodontal disease, diet and fluoride supplement). The data collection was done by means of interviews/questionnaires. The conclusion drawn was that most of the physicians who were interviewed evaluate the oral cavity of their pregnant patients, but only half of them adopt this procedure as a routine; that the dietary control is widely used aiming at maintaining the pregnant woman s weight; that prescription of systematic fluoride is usual habit and the most appropriate means for achieving that is the use of polyvitamins; and most physicians state that they never received any kind of orientation about dental health during their undergraduate or graduate program.