Article Type : Research Article
Authors : Ahmed S, Alshammari AH, AlTakroni GS, Hawsawy BA, ALOnazi A, Alqahtani A, AlAyahya T and Tabassum N
Keywords : Trimester; Pregnancy; Dental treatment
Pregnancy causes many changes in physiology of a
woman. These changes may sometimes be subtle but may cause complications if
precautions are not taken during dental treatment. Fetal growth and secretion
of hormones during pregnancy can induce many local and systemic physiologic
changes in pregnant women. Physical changes occur in various parts of the body,
with changes noticed in oral tissues too. These changes can pose challenges in
providing dental care for these patients. Effects of treatment of the pregnant
patient can potentially affect the well-being of the fetus.
Due to uncertainty of the risks involved dentists
are often reluctant to treat pregnant patients even though it is in the safe
period. Emergency, preventive, and routine dental procedures can be performed
during different phases of pregnancy, with necessary modifications and proper
planning.
After obtaining approval from the research
committee, Riyadh Elm University, Riyadha cross sectional study was conducted
in 400 female students from the college comprising of level 8 to 12. A closed
format survey questionnaire was designed to assess knowledge of students in
patient management in each trimester in dental treatment for pregnant patients.
Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 22.
Since the study was based on female dental students’
knowledge about dental considerations in pregnant patients, no cross tabulation
was done between gender and knowledge of pregnant patient management.
Each student group was cross tabulated against each
variable to determine if the level of education or clinical exposure is
directly related to the knowledge of management of pregnant patients in dental
clinics and eventual treatment outcome in pregnant patients. A 35% of students
believed that 2nd trimester is safe for dental treatment. Pearson’s chi-square
analysis showed p-value of 0.000, which is highly statistically significant.
Assessment of knowledge about analgesic prescription in pregnant patients
showed a p-value of 0.000, which is statistically significant (Table 1,2). A
89.1% of students believed oral radiation is safe during 3rd trimester. 74.9%
of students believed oral radiation is safe during 2nd trimester.
Before scheduling pregnant patients for dental treatment, a thorough knowledge of the pros and cons of the treatment undertaken, and the drugs being prescribed is highly essential for the welfare of the pregnant mother and the fetus. Regarding knowledge of dental surgeons on taking radiographs of pregnant women, capucho et al. found that 40-50% have doubts about the use of X-rays. Al-Shadan and Al-Manee concluded that 43% would not take a radiograph under any circumstance.16% considered use of X-rays safe throughout pregnancy; 38%, only after 1st quarter 38% oppose radiography at any stage of pregnancy.
Graph 1: Which trimester is safe to do dental treatment during pregnancy.
To select the most suitable imaging modality,
diagnostic value, and safety of radiography to mother and fetus should be known.
There is evidence that ionizing radiation has damaging effects biologically
which could affect cells directly or indirectly and produce free radicals which
cause DNA damage [1,2]. Biological hazards can be divided into stochastic
effect and Non-stochastic. Are stochastic or deterministic effects being those
influences which increase the limit of dose cell injury. It begins to appear
[3]. In random effect there is no specific dose that can trigger Biological and
cell damage occur at any dose level. High dose of ionization. Radiation has
inevitable and random effects, but low dose radiation. Mostly random effects
[4]. ALARA principle of "reasonably least achievable". It was
mandatory during the routine work of the dentist. But dentists do not always
adhere to ALARA principles [5-8]. Therefore, stochastic effect can have more
effect on dentists and patients as there is no threshold dose. Though X-rays
are helpful for diagnosis, dentists should also be cautious of its biological
hazards [9]. It is noted that when a radiograph is necessary dentists often
defer treatments to the period post-delivery as they do not have sound
knowledge of low doses involved in dental radiation [10]. Kusama et al, A
radiation dose of less than 100 mG (10 radon) is reported to be safe for the
fetus. Pregnancy termination is not required. He also revealed radiation doses
during the head. Diagnostic chest exposures did not affect the fetus directly
and the dose absorbed was less than 0.01 mGy [11]. Therefore, radiographs
should be used only if necessary. Radiographs should be equipped with
well-collimated beams in precisely protected shields. A high kVp technique is
appropriate in such cases [12].
Regarding knowledge of dental surgeons on drug
prescription and anesthetic administration,14% were against the use of
anesthesia during pregnancy,7% had doubts about the use of medications 43% did
not know the best anesthetic for pregnant women. As for use of analgesics, most
students felt that acetaminophen was the safest drug and a close second number
of students believed meperidine was a better choice of analgesic. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) has classified drugs into 5 categories of safety for use
during pregnancy [1,8] Safest drug is Acetaminophen and should be the first
choice among NSAIDs. It is rated as an FDA category B drug for all three
trimesters [1,4,6,9]. Ibuprofen in the first and second trimesters is a
category B analgesic [4]. Penicillin’s and cephalosporins which are beta-lactum
ring derived antibiotics should be first choice for orofacial infections. These
antibiotics have proved to be safe during pregnancy even though they cross
placenta [9]. Drugs such as tetracycline, metronidazole, and erythromycin
estolate must be avoided during all three trimesters [8].
Metronidazole is currently recommended for use in
the second and third trimesters only, even though it has not been associated
with adverse fetal affects [10]. Estolate form of erythromycin must be avoided
as it could have detrimental effect on mother’s liver [4,8]. Tetracycline is
grouped under category D as it chelates calcium orthophosphate causing a
hypoplastic matrix, tooth discoloration and inhibition of bone development and
may cause maternal hepatotoxicity [11]. It is safe to use epinephrine in permissible
doses in local anesthesia during pregnancy [9,12] with precautions to avoid
injecting into blood vessels with dosages at or below 0.04 mg of epinephrine.
Regarding knowledge of dental surgeons and
odontology students regarding the best treatment period for pregnant women, 36%
would postpone dental treatment for postpartum.10% would perform all the
required treatment. However, our study involved the students and not
professionals. We found that 38 percent students believed 2nd semester is the
safest period for any kind of dental treatment. On being asked about the proper
dental chair position for a pregnant patient not everyone was aware that left
lateral position was the preferred one.
If dental caries or any other dental condition requires immediate
attention and treatment due to acute pain in a healthy pregnant patient, prompt
care needs to be provided irrespective of the trimester [19]. Allowing an
active infection to progress without treatment can be riskier than hazards of
providing care [1,20]. Sepsis and febrile illness have been known to cause
miscarriage [20]. Unfortunately, only 37% of interns were aware that acute
dentoalveolar infection should be treated promptly. Pregnancy gingivitis are
more common during pregnancy [20,21]. Inflammatory response to oral bacteria is
exacerbated by changes in progesterone and estrogen levels, diminished immune
response and changes in oral flora [21,22]. Pregnancy tumor is seen in around 5
percent of pregnant women. Unless tumor bleeds or obstructs mastication
excision is generally not recommended. Tumors have also known to recur after
removal [21]. Incidence of tooth decay during pregnancy is high due to less
consumption of carbohydrate rich meals, increased acid production in oral
cavity from vomiting and minimal attention to oral health [23,24]. Gastric acid
exposure due to morning sickness during early pregnancy and a lax esophageal
sphincter in later stages of pregnancy could also be the reason for dental
erosion [19]. Elective treatment in a healthy pregnant patient should not be
delayed as it lacks medical justification. About 85% of abortions occur in the
first trimester and in one out of every 5 pregnancies there is spontaneous
abortion. Elective treatment may be postponed to the second trimester to avoid
a correlation being made between dental treatment and spontaneous abortion
[26]. In second trimester organogenesis is complete and hence risk to fetus is
minimal and is the safest time to provide dental care [23]. Although extensive
elective procedures need to be avoided [27]. Eighty seven percent of interns
were aware that second trimester is the most appropriate time to provide
routine dental care [28]. In third trimester due to increase in size of uterus
the pregnant patient may experience discomfort however there is no risk for
fetus [29,30]. If treatment is done, chair position of patient needs special
attention. Pregnant patient needs to be in left lateral position and not semi
supine or supine position as there are chance of supine hypotensive syndrome
and risk of deep vein thrombosis [31]. IN case of supine hypotensive syndrome,
patient needs to be immediately turned to her left to allow return of
circulation to heart by moving the uterus off the vena cava [32]. Shor
schedules are recommended, and frequent change of sitting position is advised
[26]. To treat anxiety nonpharmacological methods should be considered to avoid
risk of exposure of fetus to drugs [6]. Dental radiography is a controversial
subject in management of the pregnant patient. Safety of dental radiography has
been well established, providing features such as quick exposure techniques
(e.g. high speed film, digital imaging) filtration, collimation and lead aprons
are used [33,34]. Only 11% of the interns were aware that dental radiograph is
safe in pregnant patients [35].
Despite dentists’ awareness of the evident necessity
for dental care during pregnancy, this is not always reflected in the current
professional practice. The findings prompt a Curriculum change in undergraduate
courses and greater availability of training and retraining courses on this
very important topic. Overall, the knowledge of students regarding management
of a pregnant patient was limited.
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