Objective:

To identify the knowledge that the students of medicine, nursing and dentistry of accredited institutions of the city of Cali on the oral health of the pregnant women and obstetrical complications by oral pathologies.

Materials and methods:

This was an analytical cross - sectional study that evaluated 257 seniors in medicine, dentistry and nursing from public and private institutions in the city of Cali (Colombia). The response rate was 94.5 %. The questionnaire applied through a self- study survey included both categorical and numerical variables that investigated sociodemographic aspects, knowledge about oral health during pregnancy and its implications in cases of oral pathology. To evaluate knowledge, a Likert scale was applied on the relationship of periodontal problems and complications during pregnancy, the relevance of oral assessment in prenatal control and the relevance of dental procedures to the pregnant woman. The information was processed using the SPSS version 18 statistical package.

Results:

Gaps of about 50% were found among students, where 45.5 % received training in oral pathology and 55.6% received training in physiology. The students related the poor oral health of the pregnant woman with the low birth weight in 52.9 %; With preterm births 63 %; With premature rupture of membranes 59.1%; With preclampsia 27.2 %.

Conclusions:

Differences in knowledge about oral pathologies and complications in pregnancy are evidenced.

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