Pregnancy and Oral Health
There is a strong connection between oral health, pregnancy, and birth outcomes, emphasizing the need to prioritize dental care during pregnancy.
The Issue
Poor oral health during pregnancy is linked to several poor health outcomes: preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy), preterm birth, and low birth weight. Yet fewer than half of pregnant people receive dental care during their pregnancy, mainly due to financial barriers. Black people are particularly likely to experience these barriers.
Adequate pre- and postnatal care, better interprofessional communication between oral health and maternal health providers, and policies to strengthen Medicaid coverage could significantly improve these poor outcomes, especially for Black people. The result? Better oral health for pregnant people and better outcomes for their babies.
Stats
75%
Approximately 60–75% of pregnant people experience oral health issues that raise the likelihood of poor birth outcomes and major complications.
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44%
Fewer than half of pregnant people received dental care during their pregnancy, primarily due to financial barriers.
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80%
More than 8 in 10 obstetricians don’t use oral health screenings in prenatal visits.
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3x
Black people in the US are 3 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white people.
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Continuing Education about Pregnancy and Oral Health:
Exploring the Myths and Misconceptions about Oral Health and Pregnancy
Despite the longstanding advocacy of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) for routine dental care before and during pregnancy, there’s still a significant disconnect between these recommendations and their implementation in clinical practice. This gap in care can lead to suboptimal perinatal outcomes and overlooked oral health needs in pregnant patients.
In this self-paced course, you will learn to apply the most recent guidelines for dental care in pregnant patients to clinical scenarios, integrating current research findings into treatment and care plans. Eligible for 1 free CE credit.
