PERIODONTAL HEALTH STATUS OF PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING THREE ANTE-NATAL CLINICS IN ACCRA, GHANA

Objective: To assess the periodontal health status of pregnant Ghanaian women at different gestation periods. Methodology: A cross-sectional study involving two hundred pregnant women attending the ante-natal clinic at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), Kaneshie, and Ussher polyclinics was done. Data was obtained by use of a questionnaire and on-site periodontal examination. Variables determined included the socio-demographic characteristics and Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN) of study participants. A summary description of variables was presented, and cross-tabulations was used to compare responses among the three trimesters. Results: About one third, (38%) of the study participants were in the third decade of life, with a majority (55%) having had formal education to the basic level. While 72% of women had never seen a dentist, nearly three-quarters (76.2%) had a CPITN of 2 or more. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of periodontal disease among pregnant women. Healthcare professionals should therefore consider oral healthcare referrals and education for pregnant women.