Azita Tiznobaik - Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, Mother and Child Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
Mehdi Shirinzad - Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
Ghodratollah Roshanaei - Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Modeling of No Communicable Diseases Research center, School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
Ali Ghaleeiha - Research center for Behavioral disorders and substance abuse, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan. Iran
Mohammad Ami Ahmadian - Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran

Background: Pregnancy is among the most important stages of a woman's life. It causes local changes in the oral cavity, which may affect the quality of life of pregnant women. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the dental decays and DMFT index in pregnant women.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, ۲۲۰ pregnant women living in Hamadan city were selected using a convenient sampling method. Demographic information, quality of life and, and DMFT index were assessed in the patients. The quality of life associated with the oral cavity was assessed using the standardized OHIP۱۴ questionnaire and the DMFT index was assessed based on the WHO questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS ۱۶ software and P <۰.۰۵ was considered significant. Results: The mean age of the pregnant women was ۲۵.۳۵ ± ۲.۹ years. The mean DMFT in the women was ۱۱.۱۵ ± ۴.۸. The decayed tooth with a mean of ۵.۵۶ ± ۳.۶, the filled tooth without a decay with a mean of ۳.۹۳ ± ۲.۹, and missing teeth due to decay with a mean of ۱.۶۶ ± ۱.۶ showed the highest frequency. The mean score of the quality of life was ۶.۹۹ ± ۸.۸. The results revealed a significant and negative relationship between the quality of life and the DMFT index (P≤۰.۰۰۱).Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that with increasing the DMFT index in pregnant women, and the number of filled, decayed, and missing teeth, the quality of life decreases. Hence, due to the importance of pregnancy, it is essential for pregnant women to receive the necessary trainings on the ways of promoting oral hygiene through health service providers and mass media programs.

DMFT Index, Oral hygiene, Pregnant Women, Quality of Life, Iran