Utilization of dental service among pregnant women in Hong Kong

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the utilization of dental service and channels of receiving oral health knowledge among pregnant women in Hong Kong. Methods: Pregnant women who enrolled in antenatal program in two public hospitals were invited to participate in a questionnaire survey. Data on utilization of dental service, channels of receiving oral health knowledge after being pregnant, as well as socio-economic chara Results: Among 781 participated pregnant women (mean age: 32.4±4.5 years; mean gestational age: 23.4±9.1 weeks), 48% had regular dental visit, 39% visited dentist when preparing for pregnancy and only 16% visited dentist after getting pregnant. Only 10% of participants received oral health knowledge: oral health booklets or pamphlets (53%), dentists (27%), TV or internet (17%), doctors or nurses (10%). Multiple logistic regression showed that participants with higher household income (≥HK$40,000: OR=2.68; HK20,000-39,999: OR=2.19 vs. ≤HK$19,999, p<0.001), higher education level (tertiary education: OR=1.94; senior high school: OR=1.58 vs. ≤junior high school, p=0.027), and having dental scheme coverage (OR=3.28, p<0.001) had a higher chance to have regular dental visit. Participants with higher household income (≥HK$40,000: OR=1.82; HK20,000-39,999: OR=1.67 vs. ≤HK$19,999, p=0.020), higher education level (tertiary education: OR=2.55; senior high school: OR=1.74 vs. ≤junior high school, p=0.001), and with dental scheme coverage (OR=1.82, p<0.001) also had a higher chance to visit dentist when planning for pregnancy. Participants with dental scheme coverage were also more likely to have dental visit after being pregnant (OR=1.82, p=0.002). Conclusions: Utilization of dental service is not common among pregnant women in Hong Kong. In general, pregnant women with better socio-economic status are more likely to have dental visit regularly and when preparing for pregnancy as well as after being pregnant. Promotion on dental service utilization among pregnant women is needed in order to equip them with oral health knowledge which will benefit their own and their infants’ oral health.