Table 2 Means of belief and confidence items for each provider type
Belief Itemsa | Prenatal Provider M (SD) | Oral Health Provider M (SD) |
Oral health is important for the overall health of my pregnant patients | 4.56 (0.96) | 4.84 (0.64) |
Seeking oral health care during pregnancy is recommended | 4.65 (0.99) | 4.71 (0.79) |
Mothers can transmit the bacteria that causes cavities to their infants by kissing or sharing spoons | 3.33 (1.15) | 4.33 (1.04) |
Physiological changes in the mouth can occur during pregnancy | 4.58 (0.78) | 4.74 (0.61) |
Poor oral health during pregnancy is associated with adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes | 4.46 (0.79) | 4.19 (0.96) |
A mother’s oral health status is associated with her children’s oral health status | 4.04 (0.88) | 4.26 (0.92) |
My professional organization has guidance on oral health promotion and care during pregnancy | 3.75 (1.13) | 4.18 (1.02) |
Oral health counseling during pregnancy may help to reduce the transmission of cavity-associated bacteria from mothers to infants | 3.91 (0.85) | 4.31 (0.84) |
Seeking oral health care is safe during pregnancy | 4.75 (0.77) | 4.73 (0.71) |
Mothers’ oral health hygiene behaviors are associated with their children’s oral health hygiene behaviors | 4.52 (0.69) | 4.60 (0.70) |
Confidence Itemsb | Prenatal Provider M (SD) | Oral Health Provider M (SD) |
Taking an oral health history from pregnant patients | 3.37 (1.08) | 4.62 (0.71) |
Checking pregnant patients’ mouths for problems | 3.07 (1.18) | 4.70 (0.64) |
Documenting oral health assessment findings in pregnant patients’ medical records | 3.20 (1.13) | 4.66 (0.63) |
Advising pregnant patients that oral healthcare is safe during pregnancy | 4.40 (0.84) | 4.59 (0.70) |
Advising pregnant patients on good oral hygiene | 4.31 (0.88) | 4.79 (0.53) |
Advising pregnant patients to eat healthy foods | 4.63 (0.68) | 4.50 (0.82) |
Advising pregnant patients to seek oral healthcare | 4.37 (0.91) | 3.94 (1.15) |
Referring pregnant patients to an oral health provider | 3.91 (1.15) | 3.48 (1.37) |
Sharing information about pregnant patients with oral health providers/prenatal providersc | 3.34 (1.23) | 3.32 (1.39) |
Coordinating care for pregnant patients with oral health providers/prenatal providersc | 3.73 (1.01) | 3.63 (1.26) |