OBJECTIVE:
To make a comparative assessment of primiparous and multiparous mothers' knowledge about dental caries, access to information and use of dental services during pregnancy.
METHODS:
This cross-sectional, quantitative study was conducted in a Reference Maternity center for the Seridó region of Rio Grande do Norte, with 100 women aged between 12 and 45 years, who answered a structured questionnaire.
RESULTS:
The majority of patients received information on oral health (70%) (p=0.24), but only 42% sought dental care during pregnancy (p = 0.45). The interviewees considered caries (80%) (p=0.80), a communicable disease (64%) (p=0.29) arising due to inadequate brushing (60%) (p=0.37). Pregnant women considered a brush with soft bristles and small head appropriate (59%) (p=0.83) and reported that the amount of toothpaste should extend over the entire brush (46%) (p=0.04). "Brush your teeth" was the most cited response (70.9%) in their speeches on caries prevention.
CONCLUSIONS:
In general the mothers in this study presented similar characteristics as regards knowledge about dental caries, access to information and use of dental services, however, there was significant difference between the groups for the variable quantity of toothpaste used. Nevertheless, some aspects such as the multifactorial etiology of dental caries, biofilm, use of dentifrices, and seeking information and dental services from the perspective or oral health prevention and promotion still need to be worked on among these mothers. These are simple aspects that must be considered in daily care by both pregnant and multiparous women
Dental caries; Knowledge; Pregnant women