J Korean Acad Oral Health.  2023 Dec;47(4):178-185. 10.11149/jkaoh.2023.47.4.178.

Unmet dental care needs and related factors among pregnant women: analysis based on data from 2019 Korean Community Health Survey

• Sun AY
• Park HJ
• Lee JH

• KMID: 2550171
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.11149/jkaoh.2023.47.4.178

Abstract

Objectives
This study aims to identify the factors affecting unmet dental care needs in pregnant women in Korea, and analyze the results.
Methods
The study used original data from the 2019 Community Health Survey. A total of 1,146 women who were pregnant at the time were selected as the final subjects for analysis. Complex sample logistic regression analysis was conducted to understand the factors contributing to unmet dental care needs.
Results
Among the subjects, 16.3% reported experiencing unmet dental care needs. The main reasons were a lack of time, other reason (pregnancy, bother to go) and minor symptoms. This study found that age and marital status as predisposing factors, number of household members as enabling factors, and subjective oral health status, chewing difficulties, tooth brushing frequency, and subjective stress levels as need factors significantly impacted the experience of unmet dental care needs.
Conclusions
Customized oral health education for pregnant women is crucial to raise awareness about its significance. Considering that pregnant women may be single-person households or face challenges in visiting the dentist alone, it is necessary to establish a medical delivery system that facilitates access to medical treatment. Furthermore, policy efforts should be directed toward reducing unmet dental care needs among pregnant women.

Keyword

Dental health services; Dental health surveys; Oral health; Pregnant women

Reference

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