1.Periodontal Diseases among Pregnant Women in Kuching, Sarawak
Aisah Ahmad ; Mohamad Adib Jaafar
Archives of Orofacial Sciences 2022;17(SUPP 1):51-59
ABSTRACT
Epidemiological and longitudinal studies have shown that pregnancy is associated with increased gingival
inflammation and worsening of periodontal status. Prospective studies suggested that periodontal therapy
during pregnancy might reduce the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes and significant periodontal status
improvement. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of periodontal disease amongst
pregnant women, and to compare periodontal conditions before and after non-surgical periodontal
therapy. This study was a cross-sectional and intervention study of pregnant women at the Mother
and Child Health Clinic, Jalan P. Ramlee, Kuching, who were referred to the Periodontic Unit, Jalan
Masjid Dental Clinic, Kuching for further periodontal examination and treatment. All participants were
examined and diagnosed with healthy periodontium or diseased periodontium. Sixty women became
the subjects and 85% were diagnosed with periodontal disease, while 15% had healthy periodontium.
Plaque score (PS) and bleeding score (BS) were evaluated at baseline and at eight weeks. At baseline,
all periodontal parameters (mean ± SD) were higher in the diseased periodontium group compared to
the healthy group (BS, 39.6 ± 21.5 vs 6.5 ± 3.9; PS, 46.4 ± 30.1 vs 33.5 ± 31.1). After two months,
both groups showed improvement in all periodontal parameters; diseased periodontium (p = 0.001)
and healthy periodontium group (p = 0.016). In conclusion, 85% of the participants in this study had
periodontal diseases and, the non-surgical periodontal therapy improved the participants’ periodontal
status. Furthermore, there was no significant adverse pregnancy outcomes reported in this study.
Periodontal Diseases
;
Pregnant Women
;
Malaysia (Kuching, Sarawak)