Oral Health Status of Pregnant Woman Versus Non-Pregnant Women of Childbearing Age (15-44 Years) in Lao PDR

Aim: this study was to identify an oral health status, utilization of dental services, and impacts of oral health on daily living among pregnant and non-pregnant women in Lao PDR.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, among 150 pregnant and 150 non-pregnant women age 15–44 years old attending 103 Military Hospital of Vientiane. The study consisted of an interview and oral examination. All participants were examined for the presence of decayed, filled and missing teeth (DMFT), using the criteria from WHO Oral Health Basic Methods, 5th edition. Periodontal status was examined pocket depth by using WHO probe with marks at 3.5 and 5.5 mm and bleeding on probing was assessed by using normative (clinical examination) and by self-reported approaches. Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) were used to measures perceptions of the social impacts of oral disorders on their well-being, the questionnaire was developed in English and used validated questions from other questionnaires. Then it was translated into Lao.

Results: A total number of 300 participants. The prevalence of dental caries among all participants was 75%. In both estimates. Pregnant women had a higher prevalence (76%) than non-pregnant women (73%), but the differences were not statistically different. The mean number of decayed, filled and missing teeth DMFT was 3.25. The mean number of untreated decayed teeth (DT) was 2.04. The mean DMFT and DT were statistically higher among pregnant women (p= 0.001). no difference prevalence of pocket depth between both group. However, pregnant women had higher bleeding on probe than non-pregnant women (P= 0.011), The mean OHIP-14 score was higher in non-pregnant (9.6±8.7) than in pregnant women (7.7±7.6). There was strong significant positive relationship between DMFT, periodontal, bleeding and total OHIP-14 in pregnant women on functional limitation and pain.

Conclusion: pregnant women were high risk and poor oral health than non-pregnant women. Dental treatment needs and prevention program for women planning to pregnant. During pregnancy, women’s oral hygiene education should be integrated into routine maternal care. It could also be of necessary step for the mothers to take responsibility for the oral health of their newborns.