Utilization of Oral Health Services by Pregnant Women Attending Primary Healthcare Centers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Poor oral health in women is significantly associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study examined the utilization of oral health services by pregnant women attending primary healthcare centers (PHCs) in Saudi Arabia.

In this cross-sectional study, we used an online survey to assess the utilization of dental services by pregnant women who attended prenatal care between 2018 and 2019. We examined factors that affect women’s utilization of dental care during pregnancy. Bivariate and multivariate analyses included a dental visit before pregnancy, a prenatal health provider’s advice to visit a dentist, a regular medical checkup before pregnancy, dental problems, chronic illnesses, oral health knowledge, and sociodemographic characteristics. The Type-I error rate was set at 5%.

Our sample included 1350 respondents. The percentages of women who reported a dental visit before, during, and after pregnancy were 38.1%, 31.0% and 51.3%, respectively. Women who visited a dentist before pregnancy and those who were advised by a prenatal health provider to visit a dentist were more likely to report a dental visit during pregnancy (Odds Ratio [OR]=3.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.33-3.86; OR=2.79; 95% CI, 2.04-3.82, respectively). Women with dental problems (OR=2.68; 95% CI, 1.82-3.96) and better oral health knowledge (OR=1.16; 95% CI, 1.05-1.29) had higher odds of visiting a dentist during pregnancy.

A significant underutilization of dental services during pregnancy was reported, with only 31% of women reporting dental visits during this period. Most pregnant women sought dental care only when in absolute need, with preventive care often being postponed until after pregnancy. Factors contributing to this underutilization included scheduling difficulties, misconceptions about dental safety, financial barriers, and dentists’ reluctance to treat pregnant women due to a lack of training or fear of litigation. These findings align with both national and international studies, suggesting universal barriers despite cultural differences. Notably, the advice of prenatal health providers significantly increased dental visits during pregnancy, highlighting the importance of integrating oral health counseling into antenatal care. Improving education for dental professionals, ensuring coordinated care, and embedding oral health screenings into prenatal visits are recommended strategies. While our large sample size strengthens these findings, the cross-sectional design limits causal inferences. Nonetheless, our study provides critical insights for policymakers aiming to integrate dental services effectively into prenatal care in Saudi Arabia.

Our findings highlighted that pregnant women mostly sought dental services when they were in absolute need of them. Further examination of the factors that prevent them from seeking dental care during this sensitive yet crucial period is essential for designing effective interventions and informing best practices to improve oral health for this vulnerable population.