Pregnant and postpartum women’s perceptions and use of Portugal’s dental voucher during pregnancy: preliminary results

Objectives: To assess pregnant women’s perceptions of oral health, their knowledge and use of the Dental Voucher program in Portugal, and the factors underlying its utilization. Methods: The cross-sectional pilot study was conducted from October 2024 to September 2025 in 11 health local units in Portugal. A 31-item mandatory online questionnaire was applied, covering (i) demographics and socioeconomic status, (ii) oral hygiene practices and dental attendance patterns, (iii) perceived importance of oral health, and (iv) awareness and use of the dental vouchers. Descriptive analyses were performed. Furthermore, dental voucher data were extracted from the Portuguese National Health Service Transparency Portal and Statistics Portugal (INE). Results: Participants were predominantly urban (71%), highly educated (81.5% with a higher education degree), and employed (81.6%). While 89.5% recognized the link between oral and general health, 23.7% were unaware of the impact of oral health on pregnancy outcomes. Despite 81.6% reporting awareness of the Dental Voucher program, only 39.5% used a voucher; among users, 23.7% considered the benefit inadequate. National data show that utilization rates of maternal dental vouchers plateaued at 70–85%, while population coverage remained below 50%. Conclusions: This pilot study highlights gaps in voucher utilization, even among well-informed, educated women. Despite progress in raising awareness and expanding access, the Dental Voucher program remains underutilized. Strengthening oral health literacy, expanding access, modernizing digital systems, and improving program promotion are essential to maximize uptake and reduce preventable oral disease among pregnant women in Portugal.