AIM: The aim of this study was to determine self-reported oral health status; explore factors responsible for not using dental service utilization among pregnant women and assess vulnerability of pregnant women who can develop oral disease during this period of their pregnancy.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: It was a cross sectional study and pregnant women were targeted population, recruited from four maternity centers situated in Gulshan Town, district east of Karachi. Chi-square test and binary regression were used for data analysis in SPSS version 21.
RESULTS: Total 183 pregnant women participated in this study. Age and income showed positive association with reported health status p value 0.04 and < 0.01 respectively while education found association with dental service utilization, p value 0.01.Oral examinations revealed the actual status of oral health of pregnant women conflict from what is reported. Many of them had dental complains include sensitivity, carious teeth, halitosis and toothache.
CONCLUSION: Lack of financial means and education (awareness) is causing oral health issues among antenatal mothers.
Keywords: diabetes, carious teeth and halitosis.
Key words: Keywords: diabetes, carious teeth and halitosis.
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