Oral Health Education for pregnant women at the non-governmental organization Solar Meninos De Luz, Pavão-Pavãozinho Community, Rio De Janeiro, RJ

Abstract

Oral health education for pregnant women is essential, since access to information related to their oral health and that of their babies can help fight myths, promote appropriate care to prevent oral health problems and give pregnant women the opportunity to make choices based on scientific knowledge for themselves and their babies. The objective of this paper was to describe an oral health education action aimed at pregnant women in socially vulnerable conditions at the community of Pavão-Pavãozinho, city of Rio de Janeiro/RJ. This is an experience report that is part of the “Pensa, Imagina, Inventa” project (PROEX/UFF), which operates within the Non-Governmental Organization Solar Meninos de Luz, where weekly meetings are held with pregnant women who live in the community. Dentistry students and teachers of the community oral health group of the dentistry course developed a proposal for an oral health education activity for pregnant women, using a problem-solving and participatory approach. The stages of the educational activity are divided into: a welcoming approach and bonding with the pregnant women; drawing up a script to guide the dialog; oral health care for pregnant women; and the oral health of the newborn. As a complement, two educational leaflets were produced, with appropriate language, illustrations and a didactic layout of the information. It was found that the activity promoted significant participation of pregnant women, raising doubts, reporting difficulties and sharing experiences. The conclusion is that this oral health education activity has been significant in promoting health for both pregnant women and newborns. In addition, it brings the Dentistry students closer to the collective needs of the mother and child community, with their particularities and specific knowledge.