Maternal Oral Health Initiatives: Impact on Early Childhood Caries Prevention from Pregnancy to Postnatal Periods

Maternal oral health education and its impact on Early Childhood Caries

Abstract

Background: Early childhood caries (ECC) poses a significant public health challenge, necessitating innovative preventive strategies. This prospective study investigates the impact of maternal oral health initiatives initiated during pregnancy and their sustained influence through the postnatal period on ECC prevention.

Methods: A cohort of 312 pregnant women was randomly assigned to intervention (n=156) and control (n=156) groups. The intervention included structured oral health education during pregnancy. Postnatally, maternal oral health knowledge and practices were assessed. ECC outcomes in infants were monitored for 12 months. SPSS 26.0 was used for analysing data.

Results: Maternal education during pregnancy resulted in a significant reduction in ECC incidence and severity among infants in the intervention group compared to controls. Sustained maternal oral health knowledge correlated positively with improved postnatal practices, including increased prevalence of breastfeeding, contributing to lower ECC rates.

Conclusion: Maternal oral health initiatives, spanning from pregnancy to the postnatal period, demonstrate a substantial impact on ECC prevention. Targeted education during pregnancy and continuous support postnatally significantly reduce ECC prevalence. These findings advocate for the integration of maternal oral health programs into routine prenatal care to optimize oral health outcomes for both mothers and infants.