TITLE:
Oral Health of Pregnant Women Attending Primary Healthcare Facilities in District of Ain Sebaa, Hay Mohammadi in Morocco
AUTHORS:
Jamila Ait Ikiss, Zineb Al Jalil, Rim Fatten Abdellatifi
KEYWORDS:
Pregnant Women, Dental Caries, Gingivitis
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.13 No.6,
June
29,
2026
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Pregnancy is a period of profound physiological changes that can impact the oral health of women. Several studies have established a link between poor oral health and obstetric complications, highlighting the importance of regular dental monitoring during pregnancy. The present study aimed to measure the prevalence of caries and gingivitis among pregnant women attending primary healthcare facilities in the district of A?n Sebaa-Hay Mohammadi, Morocco. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted in three primary healthcare facilities in the prefecture of A?n Sebaa-Hay Mohammadi, involving 200 pregnant women. Dental caries was assessed by the Decayed, Missing and Filled teeth (DMFT) index and gingivitis was evaluated by the Gingival Bleeding Index (GBI). A structured questionnaire on oral health status and its factors was administered by the examiner. Statistical analysis was carried out using Jamovi software (version 2.3.28). Results: Of the 200 pregnant women examined, 80.5% were of Moroccan nationality, and 19.5% were of Sub-Saharan African origin. The mean age was 30.1 ± 5.88 years. Caries was recorded in 162 women, corresponding to a prevalence of 81%, with a mean DMFT index of 6.30 ± 5.42. Gingivitis was present in 98% of participants, with a mean gingival index of 1.60 ± 0.66. Caries experience was statistically significantly associated with nationality (p Conclusion: Our findings highlight the importance of extending oral health prevention programmes to pregnant women, with a focus on oral hygiene and dietary habits. Prevention messages must be simple and adapted to the educational level of the population consulting primary healthcare facilities, in order to effectively meet their oral healthcare needs.