Comparative assessment of oral hygiene index parameters of Polish perinatal patients in relation to women who have never been pregnant

BACKGROUND an‎d AIM: Pregnant women should take special care of the oral cavity and perform additional hygiene procedures. In this study, the oral health status of perinatal patients was compared to that of women who have never been pregnant by analyzing the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S). METHODS: The study group consisted of 125 patients in the perinatal period, hospitalized at the Institute of the Polish Mother's Health Center in Lodz, Poland. The control (comparison) group included 100 women. Patients from both groups underwent clinical examination of the teeth and periodontium condition and a survey was conducted as well. The epidemiological indicators were used to compare and interpret the results. The OHI-S was used to determine the state of hygiene. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in the mean values of OHI-S, Simplified Debris Index (DI-S), and Simplified Calculus Index (CI-S) between the two study groups. It was shown that respondents maintained oral hygiene at a similar level. Most of the respondents revealed high therapeutic needs. Statistical relationships appeared in the analysis of environmental factors. CONCLUSION: Pregnant women do not attempt to improve hygienic condition of the oral cavity. Despite their hormonal and behavioral predispositions, pregnant women maintain hygiene at a similarly low level as non-pregnant women. Pregnancy itself does not worsen hygienic condition of the oral cavity. Dentists should pay attention to the oral health of pregnant women.