Knowledge and Practices of Oral Health Care During Pregnancy: A Survey Among Swiss Dentists

Purpose: To evaluate the knowledge and practices of Swiss dentists concerning oral care during pregnancy. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 200 dentists from the German and French part of Switzerland. The survey consisted of 16 questions which assessed the knowledge, attitudes and barriers faced by dentists regarding dental care during pregnancy. Results: The majority of dentists agreed that dental care should be part of prenatal care. Overall, good agreement between the French- and German-speaking dentists was found concerning the timing of conducting various dental procedures and the administration of anesthetics and other drugs during pregnancy. Uncertainty was observed regarding the link between periodontal disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Conclusion: The survey reported that Swiss dentists in private practice have the knowledge to provide dental care to pregnant women. However, they all expressed the need for clear guidelines and direction on this important aspect of public health. Keywords: dentists, education, oral care, pregnancy