Changes, Desire, Fear and Beliefs: Women’s Feelings and Perceptions About Dental Care During Pregnancy

Natália Correia Fonseca Castro, Vânia Maria Godoy Pimenta Barroso, Henrique Cerva Melo, Camilla Aparecida Silva de Oliveira Lima, Rafaela Silveira Pinto and Lívia Guimarães Zina ()
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Natália Correia Fonseca Castro: Faculty of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
Vânia Maria Godoy Pimenta Barroso: Faculty of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
Henrique Cerva Melo: Faculty of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
Camilla Aparecida Silva de Oliveira Lima: Faculty of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
Rafaela Silveira Pinto: Faculty of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
Lívia Guimarães Zina: Faculty of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 8, 1-17

Abstract: Oral health during pregnancy is essential for maternal and child well-being, as hormonal and physiological changes increase women’s susceptibility to oral diseases. Despite the recognized importance of prenatal dental care, adherence to dental services remains a challenge in the public health context. This study aimed to analyze oral health and the use of dental services during pregnancy through the perception of pregnant women. It represents the qualitative phase of a mixed-method study conducted with 25 pregnant women (with and without dental care) receiving prenatal care in the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). Participants were selected through saturation sampling, and data were collected via semi-structured interviews, followed by content analysis. The findings revealed four major themes: barriers and facilitators to dental care, changes during pregnancy and oral health. Discomfort from oral changes was a common concern. Barriers included misinformation, fear, cultural beliefs, and service organization. In contrast, facilitating factors were identified, such as care prioritization, support from healthcare teams, health education, and access through SUS. This study concludes that emotional, cultural, and contextual aspects shape the use of dental services during pregnancy. Access through SUS is perceived as an important facilitator, which simultaneously presents organizational weaknesses that need to be addressed.

Keywords: pregnant women; oral health; perception; prenatal care; primary healthcare; Unified Health System (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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