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Referrals for dental care during pregnancy
Megan K Kloetzel1, Colleen E Huebner, Peter Milgrom
1Madigan Army Medical Center: Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA 98431, USA. megan.kloetzel@us.army.mil
Journal of Midwifery & Women'S Health
|March 25, 2011
Summary
Oral health is crucial during pregnancy. Dental care, including treatment and preventive services, is safe and recommended for pregnant women to prevent poor outcomes and pathogen transmission to infants.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Dental Public Health
- Pediatric Dentistry
Background:
- Oral health is integral to overall maternal and fetal well-being during pregnancy.
- Periodontal disease in pregnant individuals is linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes like preterm birth.
- Mothers with poor dental health can transmit Streptococcus mutans to infants, increasing early childhood caries risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To emphasize the importance of dental care during pregnancy.
- To highlight the safety and necessity of preventive and therapeutic dental interventions for pregnant women.
- To advocate for increased interprofessional communication and patient education regarding oral health during gestation.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing studies on the association between periodontal disease and pregnancy outcomes.
- Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of periodontal therapy during pregnancy.
- Discussion of preventive services, radiographic safety, and optimal timing for non-emergent dental procedures.
Main Results:
- Periodontal therapy is safe during pregnancy, though its effect on preterm birth is inconsistent.
- Dental radiographs can be safely performed with appropriate shielding.
- Non-emergent dental care is best scheduled between 14 and 20 weeks' gestation.
Conclusions:
- Pregnant women should not delay essential dental care.
- Interprofessional collaboration is needed to improve dental care access for pregnant women.
- Women's health providers must educate patients on the importance of oral health during pregnancy and postpartum.
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