Tahereh Molania - Assistant Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
Nadia Jafari - Dentistry Student, Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran

Background and Objective: Some of society groups are more at risk of tooth decay due to their specific physiologic conditions. One of these specific conditions is natural process of pregnancy occurring in accordance with extensive changes in body of mothers .The purpose of this study is to examine Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index among pregnant women in Mazandaran province, northern of Iran.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was done in 2016 (between February - May) on 1842 pregnant women of Mazandaran province.The data were collected using a questionnaire including relevant questions to demographic information, healthcare level of oral health as well as relevant question to visiting dentist before pregnancy.The data was analyzed by spss16 and other analyzing softwares. Before giving questionnaire to persons, the research method was explained to them.. After completing questionnaires, participants were freely checked up by dentist in order to examine their DMFT index. Questionnaire consisted of three parts including 1) personal and social questions (age, education, and job), 2) individual report of oral and dental situation (decay, filling, and missed teeth), and oral and dental care level (numbers of brushing during a day, use of dental floss and visiting.Findings: 62% of women had academic education level and 38% of them had diploma or lower degrees. About 67% of pregnant women were housewives and 33% were employees. The mean of DMFT index among pregnant women in Mazandaran Province was equal to 13±6.Conclusion: A significant relationship was observed between education level and care level of oral and dental hygiene. there was not any significant relationship between job and care level of oral and dental hygiene. Also it can be observed that there is a positive and significant relationship between DMFT index and awareness level of pregnant women about oral and dental health and hygiene

DMFT index,pregnant,Iran,Oral health