Hello! I am an A level student currently writing my EPQ project. Thus far, my title is: To what extent is free dental care for pregnant women in the UK cost effective? There has been extensive research on the implications of pregnancy on oral health which can lead to implications for your baby. Due to the three-fold increase in progesterone and oestrogen during pregnancy, common complications can be gum disease or pyogenic granulomas (skin growths on your gums). Furthermore, recent studies show that the development of periodontal diseases is actually correlated and acts as a significant contributor to low birth weight and prematurity (after controlling commonly known risk factors). This is why if you are pregnant or have given birth in the last year, you eligible to free dental care on the NHS.
I wanted to carry out some primary research so I thought this would be the best place to do it. If you are expecting/ have had kids, I would really appreciate it if you could answer the following questions:
- Did you know that dental care for pregnant women was free before you became pregnant?
- Do you think that this service is advertised enough?
- Do you think you would use the service more if you knew the impacts that pregnancy has on oral health which can lead to implications for your baby?
- Did you suffer from any dental problems during your pregnancy?
- How often/ if at all did you go to the dentist during pregnancy?
- Are there any barriers to you using this service?
- If you did use free dental care, was it beneficial for your pregnancy?
- Was the service that you received satisfactory
*just a disclaimer- if you do respond to this survey, may I have your consent to use this in my project? I will, of course, destroy of all evidence after the project is over and I can assure you that your confidentiality will remain intact throughout and after the project.