Obstetricians' knowledge and practice behaviors concerning periodontal health and preterm delivery and low birth weight.

INTRODUCTION Investigators have reported that periodontal disease may be a risk factor for pregnancy complications including preterm delivery (PTD) and low birth weight (LBW). This study assessed obstetricians' knowledge and practice behaviors concerning periodontal disease and its role in adverse pregnancy outcomes. METHODS One hundred ninety four practicing obstetricians in a 5 county area in central North Carolina were surveyed. Of the 138 eligible physicians, 55 responded yielding a 40% response rate. RESULTS Most answered correctly when asked about the description of gingivitis (95%). A lower number of respondents were correct when asked about the description of periodontitis (67%). When asked about what causes periodontal disease or what is associated with periodontal disease, most answered correctly with bacteria (94%), although many answered tooth decay (73%), aging (69%), and excess dietary sugar (51%). Most were correct in responding that periodontitis was more serious than gingivitis (80%). Twenty-two percent looked into patients' mouths at initial prenatal examination, 9% periodically, and 48% only when a problem was mentioned by the patient. Forty-nine percent rarely or never recommended a dental examination. Most (84%) considered periodontal disease to be as important a risk factor to adverse pregnancy events as those currently known in obstetrics practice. CONCLUSIONS Data from this study demonstrate that there is knowledge of periodontal disease and its potential role as a pregnancy risk factor but suggest limited incorporation of dental care into clinical medical practice.