Bethany Reichard & Janelle DePew

Target Population 16 pregnant women and their partners at a birthing class Age range: years old Some accompanied by spouses, others by mothers or friends

Institutional Facility The facility where we delivered our presentation was called the Saxton Pavilion in Wilkes –Barre Birthing classes are held here regularly in a very large classroom equipped with a television, computer, study models, birthing balls, and more! The classes last about 3-4 hours and are held twice a week for four weeks.

Contributing Factors Fluctuation in hormones that cause an exaggerated response to plaque Neglect of their oral hygiene due to focus being put on the baby’s arrival Stress Lack of education

Determining Oral Health Needs The oral hygiene needs of the pregnant mother, and the needs of her baby A pre-test was designed to determine the extent of their knowledge

Pre-test 1.) At what age should your child have their first dental visit? 2.) What is the importance of Fluoride? 3.) What age should you (your child) begin taking a fluoride supplements? a.) During the 3 rd Trimester of pregnancy b.) 6 months c.) 6 years

Pre-test (cont.) 4.) Can “all natural” fruit juices and/or milk cause decay? 5.) Is it detrimental to put your child to bed with a bottle of juice/milk? 6.) At what age should you begin to “clean” your child’s teeth? a. 1year b. 2 years c. 6 months 7.) At what age, and what location will the first baby tooth erupt? First permanent tooth?

Pre-test (cont.) 8.) Do you feel that your oral health can have an impact on your child’s dental health? 9.) Is it true that there is a tooth lost for every baby a woman has? 10.) Is there any topic not listed above, that you are particularly interested in?

Project Goal and Objectives GOAL: Increase awareness of the impact of oral hygiene in pregnancy and during the formative years of a child’s life. Ultimately, we wanted to create a stimulus for positive action on the part of the pregnant women.

Objectives During discussion following presentation, participants will be able to volunteer information about the importance of fluoride and what age their child should begin taking supplements. During discussion following presentation, expecting mothers will be able to volunteer information that all natural fruit juices and milk have the potential to cause decay. During discussion following presentation, participants will be able to volunteer information about the first tooth to erupt in both the primary and permanent dentition, and at what age they should begin brushing their child’s teeth.

Project Design Pre-test- information on fluoride, eruption patterns, dietary information. Pregnancy gingivitis, and pre-term low birth weight Oral Presentation/brochures –brochures that detail the answers to the pre-test, and offer visual aids as an adjunct to learning. Evaluation through discussion- summary, with questions from pre-test re-visited to determine the extent of which objectives were met.

Educational Methodologies Lecture-adult appropriate Pamphlet/visual aids Discussion/evaluation

Comparing Project Results with Preliminary Data Preliminary data (pre-test) showed that most of the participants were somewhat knowledgeable about topics presented. Therefore, project results (discussion) were as expected, if not better. The areas that participants were NOT as knowledgeable were: -age of first dental visit -age to begin fluoride supplementation -impact of bottles with juice/milk -age/location of 1 st tooth

Following the lecture and distribution of pamphlets, there were positive responses in these areas, indicating that the project was effective.

Gathering and Analyzing Project Information

Pre-test Data

Percentages Question 1- 37% answered correctly Question % Question 3- 56% Question % Question 5- 63% Question 6- 44% Question 7-50% Question 8- 88% Question 9- 88%

Determining the Extent To Which the Project Objectives Were Achieved Objectives 1,2,3- During discussion in all areas covered by these objectives, positive responses were obtained. Objective 4- The topic addressed by this objective was the link between poor oral hygiene and pre-term low birth weight babies. This area was a more difficult topic to explain. None of the participants were able to volunteer information on this topic during discussion.

Determining Ways In Which the Project Could Be Improved: Establish better communication with contact person regarding content and timing of presentation Our presentation followed a 2 ½ hour birthing class- participants were mentally and physically drained, making it more difficult to focus. Choose the wording of the pretest questions more carefully (several questions were worded in a vague manner, with a “Yes/No” answer. This made it difficult to determine the actual comprehension of the participants).