Oral-Health-Related Quality of Life during Pregnancy

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to assess the differences in oral health and perceived oral-health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) between pregnant and nonpregnant rural Indian women and to describe factors that could possibly influence OHRQoL. Methods: A number of 259 pregnant (mean age 26 +/- 5.5) and 237 nonpregnant (mean age 27.8 + 6.9) women who participated in the cross-sectional study were administered the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 questionnaire and underwent oral examination. Results: The results showed that the perceived OHRQoL was significantly poorer among the pregnant women than among nonpregnant women. The mean number of sextants with Community Periodontal Index for Treatment Needs scores of 2 and 3 and the gingival index scores were significantly (P < 0.001) higher among pregnant women than in the comparison groups. Factors such as pregnancy number (P < 0.05), decayed, missing, filled teeth scores (P < 0.001), and Gingival Index scores (P < 0.001) were significant predictors for OHRQoL. Conclusion: Oral health and perceived OHRQoL were poorer among pregnant women than among nonpregnant women.