Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Gynecologists and Obstetricians Toward Oral Health Care of Pregnant Women in Sulaymaniyah City, Iraq

Aso Jalil  Abbas; Arass Jalal  Noori; Sherzad Ali  Ismael

doi:10.56056/amj.2025.323

Authors

Aso Jalil Abbas BDS, Dental Public Health, Kurdistan Higher Council of Medical Specializations
Arass Jalal Noori BDS, MSc, PhD, Assistant professor of preventive dentistry, College of Dentistry /University of Sulaymaniyah
Sherzad Ali Ismael MBCHB, FIBMS, Professor of Community Medicine and Public Health, Head of Public Health Faculty, Kurdistan Higher Council of Medical Specializations

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56056/amj.2025.323

Keywords:

Attitude, Gynecologists and obstetricians, Knowledge, Oral care, Practice, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq

Abstract

Background and objectives: Gynecologists play a vital role in pregnant women’s oral health.

This study aims to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of gynecologists and obstetricians regarding oral health care for pregnant women in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out at the Maternity Teaching Hospital in Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, from October 2022 until February 2023. One hundred and twenty-two female gynecologists and obstetricians were included. The survey covered a range of questions, including demographics and those designed to assess participants' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding oral health care for pregnant patients.

Results; Among 122 gynecologists, most board-certified are knowledgeable (60.7%), and most gynecologists with more than 20 years of experience are knowledgeable (100%) , both attitudinally and practically. On the other hand, those with less than 10 years of experience show knowledge (62.1%). Gynecologists aged 30–40 exhibit a higher proportion of high knowledge (71.1%), attitude (67.1%). Local anesthesia is considered safe for dental treatment during pregnancy. Most of the participants (82.0%) said that the safest period to perform dental work is the second trimester of pregnancy. 91.0 percent of gynecologists recognize the importance of dental references for patients. Also, a greater proportion of participants (95.9%) advised pregnant women to abstain from tobacco and alcohol.

Conclusions; In conclusion, the results of this study showed that most gynecologists had good knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward oral health care for pregnant women, but there was still a need for active participation. Gynecologists demonstrated good practice in statics, which is important for pregnant women during pregnancy.

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