Abstract

FINKLER, Mirelle; OLEINISKI, Denise Maria Belliard  and  RAMOS, Flávia Regina Souza. Pregnancy and oral health: a social representation study. Texto contexto - enferm. [online]. 2004, vol.13, n.3, pp. 360-368. ISSN 0104-0707.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0104-07072004000300004.

This is a qualitative study aimed to comprehend pregnant women's social representation about issues related to oral health. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The discussion intended to highlight topics that could contribute to enhance health workers' skills by providing reflections about the ongoing model for pregnant women dental care. To do so we outlined issues like the understanding of dental care during childbearing as harmful to the child and the influence of mother's oral health on the child's health. The beginning of a promising cycle of a better oral health promotion depends on a closer approach of pregnant women to dentists and the multi professional health team. Nevertheless it is necessary to rethink the human resources training emphasizing the educative dimension of health service and an interdisciplinary prenatal assistance.

Keywords : Oral health; Dental care; Pregnancy; Pregnant women.