Abstract
This study was a cross-sectional mixed-method descriptive study aimed at
synthesizing policy recommendations for developing alternative oral health service
delivery options for pregnant women in Bangkok, with implementation based on health
security schemes and related funds. The sample comprised 46 representatives of
policymakers, service providers for both antenatal care and dental services, and pregnant
women through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, exploring policies to
reduce oral health inequalities, service organization, past experiences, and service
expectations. Additionally, questionnaire data were collected from 388 Thai pregnant
women in Bangkok, encompassing general information, oral health status, behaviors,
service utilization, and opinions on alternative service delivery options. Findings revealed
that policymakers conceptualized reducing oral health service inequalities through
expanding service units to provide private healthcare access, extending benefit coverage,
and increasing service compensation. Service providers had established specific dental
services for pregnant women. However, pregnant women reported that current policies
and services were characterized by limited-service units, insufficient public awareness,
lack of knowledge about pregnancy benefits, and access barriers due to time constraints,
inconvenient access, and inadequate benefit coverage. Furthermore, service monitoring
for pregnant women in Bangkok remained incomplete with lack of data integration. The
questionnaire survey revealed that 61.3% of pregnant women received oral health
examinations, 24.2% received dental cleaning services, 61.0% had dental caries, and
75.2% had dental calculus. Only 59.8% were aware of dental benefits during pregnancy.
Therefore, policymakers should establish policies ensuring pregnant women are informed
about dental benefits and can access dental services more conveniently, based on
service provider and recipient opinions combined with relevant academic concepts.
