Resumo

MARIN, Constanza et al. Evaluation of pregnant adolescent women's knowledge about their baby's oral health. Arq. Odontol. [online]. 2013, vol.49, n.3, pp. 133-139. ISSN 1516-0939.

Aim: To verify the knowledge of pregnant adolescent women about the oral health of babies. Materials and Methods: The present study interviewed 80 pregnant adolescents (13 to 18 years of age) who had had prenatal visits in the city of Joinville, Brazil, from September, 2011 to June, 2012. The data were analyzed by obtaining results in the form of descriptive statistics. The Chi-squared test was applied considering a significance level of 5% (p<0.05) in an attempt to compare the mother's socioeconomic level with the transmissibility of dental caries, the moment of tooth eruption, the beginning of oral hygiene, and the baby's first dental appointment. Results: The pregnant women's average age was 15.5 years; 47.5% were living with the baby's father; 18.75% were single; 33.75% were married, all mothers were of a low socioeconomic level, with an income of 2-3 minimum wages, and with an average of 4.25 people living in the same house. As regards the mother's knowledge about the oral health of their babies, the majority did not know what were early childhood caries (96.25%), their transmissibility (63.75%), nor the moment of tooth eruption in their babies (58.75%). Most of the mothers (95%) intended to breastfeed, among them, 78.75% gave some importance to breastfeeding. The socioeconomic condition of the pregnant women showed a statistically significant difference in the knowledge of the transmissibility of caries, the ideal moment for the first dental appointment, and tooth eruption. Conclusion: The pregnant adolescents were unaware of the baby's oral health, thus indicating the need for an special oral health program in the evaluated institution.

Palavras-chave : Pregnant woman; Adolescent; Oral health.