June 2015

Dentists’ knowledge of oral health during pregnancy: a review of the last 10 years’ publications D.R. Pontes Vieira, A.E. Figueiredo de Oliveira, F. Ferreira Lopes and M. de Figueiredo Lopes e Maia Pregnancy is a period in which several physical and emotional changes occur. These changes in pregnant women’s mouths promote changes that need to be known by dentists, so that they can provide the necessary care to women. Purpose: To gather data from published studies on the knowledge of dentists about the oral health of pregnant women. Methods: Papers published between 2003 and 2013 containing surveys on the topic under study were searched. Fourteen studies were selected and grouped into work areas. Results: Dentists have doubts and fears about the care of pregnant women, to a greater or lesser degree, especially with regard to the use of X-rays, prescriptions and ideal gestational period of treatment. Conclusion: The results suggest a need to improve dentists’ knowledge regarding dental care of pregnant women especially as during pregnancy women may acquire new habits relevant to the oral health of their children. Key words: oral health, pregnant women, public health dentistry, knowledge