A Survey of Predictors of Oral and Dental Care in Pregnant Women in Yazd: Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior

Regarding special physiological conditions of pregnant women, training the rules of oral and dental care are required to be more emphasized. Most of health problems are associated with human behavior and, therefore, the theories of behavior can help with prevention of oral and dental health problems. The present study was conducted to determine predictors of oral and dental care in pregnant women based on the theory of planned behavior.
Material: This was a descriptive correlational study in which 208 pregnant women referring to four health centers in the city of Yazd were selected using multistage random sampling. The questionnaire was designed according to the theory of planned behavior which consisted of demographic and background information, theoretical questions, and oral and dental health status. It was completed through interview while the validity was confirmed by the expert opinions and the reliability by Cronbach's alpha of 0.83-0.64.
59.1% of the studied women brush their teeth once a day and only 30.8% used dental floss daily. The average number of healthy teeth of the pregnant women was 23.56 ± 7.65. Attitude toward behavior, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control predicted 66% of behavioral intension. Health behavior predicted 12% of the changes of oral and dental health condition. Perceived behavioral control was the strongest predictor of behavioral intention.
Concentrating on perceived behavioral control, the theory of planned behavior could result in optimum behaviors of oral and dental health. This model can be used as an appropriate model in promoting oral and dental health status.