Justyna Klepacz-Szewczyk - Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
Agata Koprowicz - Assistant Professor, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Medical University of Lodz, Poland

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 ۱۲۵ patients in the perinatal period, hospitalized at the Institute of the Polish Mother's Health Center in Lodz, Poland. The control (comparison) group included ۱۰۰ 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.

Dental Care, Gingivitis, Oral Hygiene Index, Oral hygiene, Pregnancy