Obstetricians' knowledge of periodontal disease & preterm low birth weight
Purpose: Recent evidence has shown that periodontal disease
may be a risk factor for preterm low birth weight (PTLBW).
This study assessed obstetricians' knowledge and practice behaviors
concerning periodontal disease and its possible effect on preterm
low birth weight.
Methods and Materials: One hundred ninety-four practicing obstetricians
in a five-county area in central North Carolina were surveyed.
Second and third mailings were sent to non-respondents. Descriptive
statistics, chi square, and Fisher's exact tests were calculated
using SAS software (Cary, NC). Fifty-five obstetricians in
the population were ineligible because they had retired, were
no longer practicing obstetrics, or were no longer in the study
area.
Results: Of the remaining 139 eligible obstetricians, 55 responded,
yielding a 40% response rate. When asked about the cause of
gingivitis (95%) and periodontitis (67%) most answered correctly.
When asked about risk factors for periodontal disease, most
correctly indicated bacteria (94%), tooth decay (73%), aging
(69%), and excess dietary sugar (51%). When asked if they looked
into patients' mouths, 22% did so at the initial visit, 9%
did so periodically, and 48% did so only when a problem was
mentioned by the patient. When asked if they recommended dental
examinations, 49% responded rarely or never. When asked about
risk factors that may contribute to PTLBW, 99% responded maternal
smoking, 94% responded preeclampsia, 84% indicated periodontal
disease, and 79% indicated bacterial vaginosis..
