Physical intimate partner violence and oral health problems during pregnancy

The aim of this study was to assess the association between physical intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy and reports of prenatal oral health problems among a sample of mothers in the United States.

Data were obtained from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System from 7 sites (Kentucky, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New York, Puerto Rico, Utah, West Virginia) for 2016 through 2020. The authors used multivariable logistic regression to examine the relationship between physical IPV and respondent self-reports of whether they needed to see a dentist for several oral health problems during pregnancy: (1) needing to have a tooth restored; (2) painful, red, or swollen gingivae; (3) toothache; (4) needing to have a tooth extracted; (5) having an injury to the mouth, teeth, or gingivae; or (6) another problem with teeth or gingivae.

Women who experienced physical IPV during pregnancy had elevated rates of oral health problems during pregnancy compared with women who did not experience IPV. The findings detailed associations between physical IPV and oral health problems that may stem from physical violence, including painful, red, or swollen gingivae; toothache; and mouth, teeth, or gingivae injury.

The results of this study highlight a connection between physical IPV during pregnancy and oral health problems consistent with orofacial injuries.

The association between physical IPV and elevated rates of oral health problems and orofacial injuries highlights the critical role of oral health care providers in screening for, detecting, and intervening in IPV among pregnant women.