Perception of child oral health needs by antenatal clinic attenders in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

One hundred and eighty-three women, attending government owned antenatal clinics in Ibadan, a metropolitan city in the south western part of Nigeria participated in a questionnaire- based survey. The women's opinions on the oral health needs of their children were sought. These included the time of commencement of tooth-cleaning, types of materials recommended for cleaning at different ages, frequency of cleaning children's teeth as well as the perceived effects of certain food items and drugs on the teeth The results showed that 140 (76 5%) of the respondents advised the use of cotton wool for cleaning babies mouths before the age of 6 months while 12 (6.6%) mentioned the use of polystyrene foam One hundred and sixty six women (90 7%) felt that children's*teeth should be cleaned with toothbrush between the ages of 2 years and 6 years. On the knowledge of the effects of drugs on the teeth, 11 (62.8%) believed that the ingestion of certain drugs, particularly tetracycline, in pregnancy could have adverse effects on the teeth. These findings showed that the majority of those in the study population had appreciable, though inaccurate knowledge of children's oral health needs. Nevertheless, the authors propose a programme of education on oral health for pregnant women which should enlighten them in the prevention disease of the oral cavity in themselves and their children.