Knowledge of dental interns about management of dental needs of pregnant patients

Abstract

Objective: Recent studies have shown relationship between poor oral health in pregnant women and adverse pregnancy outcomes. So it was decided to assess the knowledge of interns who will be the future practitioners regarding management of dental needs of pregnant patients.Material and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among 380 interns from eight dental colleges in Karnataka. Questionnaire comprised of 25 knowledge based questions and five questions regarding their training, number of pregnant patients treated by them and their confidence level in dental management of pregnant patient. Excel spread sheet was used for mathematical calculations.Results: More than 80% of the interns had knowledge about usage of NSAIDS (92%) antibiotics (82%) and local anesthetic (80%). Conversely many did not know about the FDA category of drugs to be used (80%) and safety of dental radiographs (89%) in pregnant patients. Results also showed lack of confidence in interns to provide dental care to pregnant patients.Conclusion: There is definitive need to improve the knowledge and thus the confidence levels of the interns.