Pregnancy and Women’s Oral Health

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Barriers to Dental Care During Pregnancy

Pregnancy and Women’s Oral Health Dental Treatment During Pregnancy Barriers to Dental Care During Pregnancy

All health care providers and patients need to be aware of the importance of oral health and the safety of treatment during pregnancy. Clinicians need to take time during first prenatal visits to ask about oral health, examine the mouth, and refer.

Why Don't Pregnant Women Obtain Dental Care?

  • Studies show that obstetrical and primary care providers do not routinely refer patients for dental care
    • Unsure about safety of dental interventions
    • Lack of practical training
    • Competing health demands limits focus on oral health
  • Dentists may be unsure of how to manage the pregnant patient
    • Lack of practical training
    • May fear malpractice repercussions
  • Patients have competing health demands and may receive conflicting or unclear information about the importance of having a dental visit during pregnancy

References

Al Habashneh R, Guthmiller JM, Levy S, et al. Factors related to utilization of dental services during pregnancy. J Clin Periodontol. 2005;32(7):815-821.

Lydon-Rochelle MT, Krakowiak P, Hujoel PP, Peters RM. Dental care use and self-reported dental problems in relation to pregnancy. Am J Public Health. 2004;94(5):765-771.

Hilgers KK, Douglass J, Mathieu GP. Adolescent pregnancy: a review of dental treatment guidelines. Pediatr Dent. 2003; 25(5):459-467.

Gaffield, ML, Colley Gilbert BJ, Malvitz DM, Romaguera R. Oral health during pregnancy: An analysis of information collected by the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System. JADA. 2001;132(7):1009-1016.

Pistorius J, Kraft J, Willershausen B. Dental treatment concepts for pregnant patients: results of a survey. Eur J Med Res. 2003; 8(6):241-246.

George A, Shamim S, Johnson M, et al. How do dental and prenatal care practitioners perceive dental care during pregnancy? Current evidence and implications. Birth. 2012; 39(3):238-47.

Curtis M, Silk HJ, Savageau  JA.  Prenatal Oral Health Education in U.S. Dental Schools and Obstetrics and Gynecology Residencies. Journal of Dental Education. 2013; 77(11):1461-1468.

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