Assessing the Impact of Antenatal Oral Health Integration and Measuring Knowledge Gains through Educational Interventions: A Knowledge Enhancement Study
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Early childhood caries is a rapidly progressing form of tooth decay that disproportionately affects infants and young children, especially in low-income populations.Maternal transmission of S. mutans plays a crucial role in the onset of ECC, typically occurring through common caregiver behaviors such as sharing utensils or kissing.Infants are born without S. mutans in their oral microbiota but colonization can occur within the 1st year of life, setting the stage for early and aggressive caries development, particularly in the presence of poor dietary habits and inadequate oral hygiene practices.Due to the enduring impact of ECC on children's oral and overall health, preventing it is a crucial public health priority.4 Despite the clear relationship between maternal and child oral health, many pregnant women lack adequate knowledge about proper oral hygiene practices, and misconceptions persist regarding the safety of dental care during pregnancy.5
Authors: Divya Singh, Nidhi Gupta, Natasha Gambhir, Sonam Yadav, Priyanka Sachdeva
Institution: Santosh University
Language: English
Subfield: General Dentistry
Field: Dentistry
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4412924487