Oral pathologies seen in pregnant and non-pregnant women

Abstract

The oral health status of a hundred pregnant women and that of one hundred non-pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic and gynaecological clinic respectively at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital was assessed for some common oral pathologies. The doctors and other health personnel managing the pregnant women were also quizzed to ascertain knowledge of any of these conditions. The aim was to find out if any oral condition was particularly prevalent in the pregnant women but not in the non-pregnant women. Our study confirms that in these women, pregnancy has an effect on the oral health status. However this effect is more likely due to the physiological changes associated with pregnancy than any other specific factors. Some oral conditions already present may be influenced by the hormonal changes, which in some cases exacerbate or ameliorate minor oral pathologies. Our findings were similar to that in other studies. However health workers who deal with the pregnant women in these clinics are less aware of these conditions and hence do not usually give any advice.

Keywords: oral health, pregnant, non-pregnant, Ghana

Ghana Medical Journal Vol. 39(1) 2005: 24-27