From Dentists to AI: Oral Health Information-seeking Behavior Among Pregnant Women in the Digital Era—A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction Pregnancy is a critical period during which optimal oral health is essential for maternal and fetal well-being. With increasing use of digital technologies, pregnant women obtain oral health information from various sources, including healthcare professionals, social media, and artificial intelligence (AI)-based platforms. This study assessed oral health information-seeking behavior among pregnant women and its association with oral health knowledge. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Vijayawada. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were used for analysis, with statistical significance set at p < .05. Results The mean age of participants was 28.42 ± 5.07 years. Although 96.7% had internet access, only 34.0% sought oral health information during pregnancy. Dentists were the most commonly used and trusted source (45.0%), followed by obstetricians (23.5%), while social media and AI chatbots were each used by 11.7%. Preferred information source was significantly associated with knowledge of gum disease ( p < .001), the safety of dental treatment ( p = .018), and the impact of maternal oral health on the baby’s health ( p = .040). Information-seeking behavior was also associated with better knowledge of gum disease ( p < .001) and the importance of regular dental check-ups during pregnancy ( p < .001). Conclusion Despite widespread internet access, oral health information-seeking during pregnancy was limited. Professional guidance, particularly from dentists, was associated with better oral health knowledge, emphasizing the need to strengthen evidence-based oral health education within antenatal care.