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Perspectives of Maryland women regarding oral health during pregnancy and early childhood
Author(s) -
Buerlein Jessie K.,
Horowitz Alice M.,
Child Wendy L.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of public health dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.64
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1752-7325
pISSN - 0022-4006
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-7325.2010.00211.x
Subject(s) - focus group , moderation , medicine , pregnancy , qualitative research , family medicine , low income , psychology , social psychology , social science , socioeconomics , sociology , biology , genetics , marketing , business
Objectives: The objective of this qualitative study was to obtain information on low‐income women's knowledge, beliefs, and practices regarding oral heath during pregnancy and for infant care. Methods: A professional focus group moderator conducted four focus groups ( n = 34) among low‐income women in Maryland who were either pregnant or had children aged two and younger. Purposeful sampling and qualitative content analysis were employed. Results: Women were reasonably well informed about oral health practices for themselves and their children; however, important myths and misperceptions were common. Several themes emerged; a central one being that most women had not received oral health information in time to apply it according to recommended practice. Conclusions: The focus groups with low‐income women provided rich and insightful information and implications for future communication strategies to help prevent dental diseases among pregnant women and their infants.