Attitudes of gynecologists on oral health care during the pregnancy

Cilj istraživanja: Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je utvrditi stavove i znanja ginekologa u Republici Hrvatskoj o oralnoj zdravstvenoj zaštiti tijekom trudnoće i povezanosti parodontne bolesti s ishodima trudnoće. Materijali i metode: U ovu presječenu studiju bili su uključeni specijalisti i specijalizanti opstetricije i ginekologije u Republici Hrvatskoj. Istraživanje je provedeno upitnikom koji se sastojao od općih demografskih podataka te pitanja koja su se odnosila na stavove ginekologa prema oralnoj zdravstvenoj zaštiti trudnica. Rezultati: 59,09 % ginekologa pokazalo je dobro znanje o povezaosti oralnog zdravlja i trudnoće. Znanje ginekologa o oralnom zdravlju trudnica ovisno je o stupnju edukacije te glavnom izvoru informacija. Zaključak: Među ginekolozima postoje zablude o sigurnosti pružanja dentalnih tretmana tijekom trudnoće. Potrebna je dodatna suradnja između ginekologa i doktora dentalne medicine kako bi svaka svaka trudnica dobila zadovoljavajuću dentalnu skrb te se pravilno educirala o očuvanju oralnog zdravlja.Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the attitudes and the knowledge of gynecologists in the Republic of Croatia on oral health care during the pregnancy and the association of periodontal disease with the pregnancy outcomes. Materials and methods: The specialists and residents of obstetrics and gynecology in Republic of Croatia were involved in this cross-sectional study. The survey was conducted by a questionnaire which consisted the questions on general demographic data and issues related to the attitudes of gynecologists to oral health care of pregnant women. Results: 59.09 % of gynecologists showed good knowledge about the association between the oral health and pregnancy. Gynecologists' knowledge of the oral health of pregnant women depends on the level of education and the main source of information. Conclusion: There are certain misconceptions among the gynecologists about the safety of providing dental treatment during the pregnancy. Additional collaboration between gynecologists and doctors of dental medicine is essential in order for every pregnant woman to receive a satisfactory level of dental care and proper education on the preservation of oral health