Retrospective Study of Prenatal and Postnatal Gaps in Oral Health Care Utilization: Medicaid Policy Implications.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency and timing of dental treatment completion among pregnant and post-partum women served through the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) Prenatal Oral Health Program (pOHP) dental clinic in the context of North Carolina (NC) dental Medicaid policies. METHODS: We completed a retrospective chart review of pregnant women referred to the program between May 2015 and May 2019. Data were collected from the time of referral until up to 2 years after their estimated due date (EDD). We assessed pre- and post-delivery dental appointment timing and dental treatment completion. RESULTS: The initial study population included 264 pregnant women. Overall, 213 patients (81%) attended at least one appointment, and 32 patients (12%) completed recommended treatments prior to their EDD. Fifty patients (19%) returned after delivery to resume dental care, with only 25 patients (10%) completing their recommended treatment plan. Women re-entered dental care at a median of 67 days (range 5-613 days) after their EDD and completed treatment at a median of 378 days (range 52-730 days) following delivery. CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE: Despite dental clinic referral, most pregnant women do not complete recommended dental treatment before giving birth, and women who resumed dental care after birth demonstrated a lag-time between delivery and care completion. These findings highlight the need for extending post-pregnancy dental care coverage, which is limited under current dental Medicaid policies, posing a major public health issue for new mothers to continue oral health care.

Perinatal Oral Health Among Underserved Women: A Call to Action for North Carolina Patients, Providers and Policymakers.

INTRODUCTION: Knowledge gaps exist among providers and pregnant women about the importance and safety of oral health care around pregnancy. This article describes the current state of perinatal oral health and healthcare among underserved women in North Carolina (NC) and provides policy recommendations to improve their access to and utilization of dental services. METHODS: A descriptive analysis is provided using (a) 2016 oral health surveillance data of a convenience sample of 459 pregnant women across NC, (b) 2014-2016 Medicaid dental provider and dental services utilization data for the Medicaid for Pregnant Women (MPW) program, and (c) 2017 Medicaid dental benefits policy. Surveillance data was not linked to Medicaid dental services utilization data. RESULTS: Less than 20% of pregnant women surveyed reported having a dental visit during pregnancy and oral screenings revealed 33% had untreated caries. Medicaid data showed a steady decline since 2014 in percentage of MPW beneficiaries utilizing any dental service-less than 10% as of 2016. MPW dental benefits lapse at delivery because dental care is not considered pregnancy-related in NC policy. Only 20% of practicing NC dentists provided care to MPW beneficiaries in 2015. DISCUSSION: Inadequacies in oral health knowledge, beliefs and practices exist among pregnant women, health care professionals and policymakers. Statewide efforts are needed to promote a standard of perinatal care that emphasizes collaborative practice and addresses existing barriers at the patient, provider and policy levels.

A Pilot Quality Improvement Collaborative to Improve Safety Net Dental Access for Pregnant Women and Young Children.

Objectives To determine acceptability and feasibility of a quality improvement (QI) collaborative in safety net dental practices, and evaluate its effects on financial stability, access, efficiency, and care for pregnant women and young children. Methods Five safety net dental practices participated in a 15-month learning collaborative utilizing business assessments, QI training, early childhood oral health training, and prenatal oral health training. Practices collected monthly data on: net revenue, no-show rates, total encounters, and number of encounters for young children and pregnant women. We analyzed quantitative data using paired t-tests before and after the collaborative and collected supplemental qualitative feedback from clinic staff through focus groups and directed email. Results All mean measures improved, including: higher monthly revenue ($28,380-$33,102, p = 0.37), decreased no-show rate (17.7-14.3%, p = 0.11), higher monthly dental health encounters (283-328, p = 0.08), and higher monthly encounters for young children (8.8-10.5, p = 0.65), and pregnant women (2.8-9.7, p = 0.29). Results varied by practice, with some demonstrating largest increases in encounters for young children and others pregnant women. Focus group participants reported that the collaborative improved access for pregnant women and young children, and that QI methods were often new and difficult. Conclusion for practice Participation by safety net dental practices in a QI collaborative is feasible and acceptable. Individual sites saw greater improvements in different outcomes areas, based on their own structures and needs. Future efforts should focus on specific needs of each dental practice and should offer additional QI training.

Pregnant Women's Infant Oral Health Knowledge and Beliefs: Influence of Having Given Birth and of Having a Child in the Home.

Introduction Prenatal oral health interventions can positively impact maternal and child oral health, yet limited information exists concerning how to best educate pregnant women about infant oral health. Our objective was to examine the influence of having given birth on pregnant women's infant oral health knowledge and beliefs. Methods We conducted a secondary analysis of data collected from a cross-sectional survey of pregnant women ≥18 years old attending UNC's Ultrasound Clinic. Four binomial items were categorized as infant knowledge (IK) and five rated on a Likert scale (1-5) as infant belief (IB). Overall IK and IB scores were calculated, averaging the items within each construct. Respondents were categorized into two groups: multiparous (N = 268), women having at least one previous live birth and a child between 2 and 6 years old, or nulliparous (N = 186), women with no previous live births or a child between 2 and 6 years old. Regression models for IK and IB were conducted using SAS 9.2 with maternal demographic characteristics, dental utilization, and birth history as explanatory variables (p ≤ 0.05). Results IK was affected by race (p = 0.04), mother's oral health self-rating (p = 0.0002), and birth history (p < 0.0001). On average, IK was 0.12 units higher in subjects with a history of giving birth, adjusting for explanatory variables. IB was influenced by maternal oral health beliefs (p = 0.002) and history of access to dental care (p = 0.0002). IB did not differ based on birth history (p = 0.17). Discussion The influence of birth history on pregnant women's infant oral health knowledge and beliefs can be considered in future intervention designs to maximize available resources.

Antepartum periodontitis treatment and risk of offspring screening positive for autism spectrum disorder.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate if treating maternal periodontal disease, a pro-inflammatory condition, during pregnancy (intervention) compared to after pregnancy (control) reduces the likelihood of offspring screening positive for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS: In a follow-up study to the MOTOR randomized trial, we compared rates of positive screens on the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) among n = 306 two-year-old toddlers and correlated findings to maternal and cord blood pro-inflammatory interleukin-6 (IL-6). RESULTS: Toddlers in the intervention group had decreased risk of a positive M-CHAT screen (adjusted RR = 0.53, 95% CI 0.29-0.99). Toddlers screening positive compared to negative had higher mean IL-6 in cord blood (1.58 ± 1.14 vs. 1.09 ± 0.72 p = 0.001) and maternal IL-6 change from baseline (1.30 ± 0.61 vs 0.96 ± 0.62 p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Treating periodontal disease during pregnancy reduced risk of a positive ASD screen. M-CHAT positivity was associated with increased IL-6 in maternal and cord blood. CLINICAL TRIAL: Trial Registration numbers: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03423836.

Prenatal oral health guidelines: a theory- and practice-informed approach to survey development using a modified-Delphi technique and cognitive interviews.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy presents an opportune time for oral health promotion and intervention; however, implementation of the prenatal oral health guidelines remains a challenge among prenatal and oral health providers. The purpose of this study was twofold: To employ a theory-based approach to identify high-priority Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) constructs with the greatest potential to impact prenatal oral health guideline implementation, and to operationalize and pre-test survey items based on the prioritized CFIR constructs. Identifying barriers and facilitators to guideline implementation will inform the development of targeted interventions that address gaps in adherence which can positively impact oral-systemic health. METHODS: The online survey development process employed three rounds of a modified-Delphi technique with prenatal (i.e., MD/DO, CNM) and oral health (i.e., DMD) Practice Advisory Board Members, cognitive interviews with prenatal and oral health providers, and deliberations among the research team and a Scientific Advisory Board (OBGYN, pediatric dentist, and researchers). High-impact CFIR constructs were identified and translated into survey items that were subsequently piloted and finalized. RESULTS: During three modified-Delphi rounds, a total of 39 CFIR constructs were evaluated with final input and deliberations with the Practice Advisory Board, Scientific Advisory Board, and the research team achieving consensus on 19 constructs. The instrument was pre-tested with four prenatal and two oral health providers. Overall, participants reported that the survey items were feasible to respond to, took an appropriate length of time to complete, and were well-organized. Participants identified specific areas of improvement to clarify CFIR items. The final survey instrument included 21 CFIR items across four domains, with five constructs included from the intervention characteristics domain, two from the process domain, two from the outer setting domain, and 12 from the inner setting domain. CONCLUSIONS: Lessons learned from the survey development process include the importance of soliciting diverse scientific and practice-based input, distinguishing between importance/impact and direction of impact (barrier/facilitator), and the need for additional qualitative methods during interdisciplinary collaborations. Overall, this study illustrated an iterative approach to identifying high-priority CFIR constructs that may influence the implementation of the prenatal oral health guidelines into practice settings.

Skin preparation type and post-cesarean infection with use of adjunctive azithromycin prophylaxis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the frequency of postoperative surgical site infection (SSI) by type of skin preparation used for unscheduled cesarean in the setting of adjunctive azithromycin prophylaxis. METHODS: Secondary analysis of a multi-center randomized controlled trial of adjunctive azithromycin (500 mg intravenous) versus placebo in women who were ≥24 weeks gestation and undergoing unscheduled cesarean (i.e. during labor or ≥4 h after membrane rupture). Type of skin preparation used was identified based on the protocol at the hospital at the time of delivery: iodine-alcohol, chlorhexidine, chlorhexidine-alcohol, or the combination of chlorhexidine-alcohol and iodine. The primary outcome of this analysis was incidence of post-operative SSI, as defined by CDC criteria. Multivariable logistic regression was applied for adjustments. RESULTS: All 2013 women in the primary trial were included in this analysis. Women were grouped according to type of skin preparation received: iodine-alcohol (n = 193), chlorhexidine (n = 733), chlorhexidine-alcohol (n = 656), and chlorhexidine-alcohol and iodine combined sequentially (n = 431). The unadjusted rates of wound infection ranged from 2.9% to 5.7%. Using iodine-alcohol as the referent, the adjusted odds ratios for wound SSI were 0.71 (95% CI 0.30-1.66) for chlorhexidine, 0.97 (95% CI 0.41-2.28) for chlorhexidine-alcohol, and 0.88 (95% CI 0.36-2.20) for chlorhexidine-alcohol with iodine combination. CONCLUSION: In women undergoing unscheduled cesarean delivery in a trial of adjunctive azithromycin, the type of skin preparation used did not appear to be associated with the frequency of wound SSI.

Maternal periodontal disease is associated with oxidative stress during pregnancy.

We sought to determine if maternal periodontal disease is associated with oxidative stress as measured by serum 8-isoprostane. A secondary analysis was conducted using prospective data from the Oral Conditions and Pregnancy Study. Healthy women enrolled at < 26 weeks' gestational age underwent oral examination and serum sampling. Maternal periodontal disease status was categorized as healthy, mild, or moderate to severe by clinical criteria. Maternal serum was analyzed for 8-isoprostane using ultrasensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Elevated 8-isoprostane level was defined as ≥ 75th percentile. Maternal factors associated with elevated 8-isoprostane were determined using chi-square or T test. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess association between elevated 8-isoprostane and maternal factors. Seven hundred ninety-one women had complete data. Median (interquartile) 8-isoprostane serum level was 1806 (16 to 81,870) pg/dL. Using bivariate analysis, maternal age, race, marital status, utilization of public assistance, and mild or moderate to severe periodontal disease were associated with elevated serum 8-isoprostane. Using logistic regression, moderate to severe periodontal disease (adjusted odds ratio 2.9, 95% confidence interval: 1.7 to 5.0) remained significantly associated with an elevated serum 8-isoprostane level. Maternal periodontal disease is associated with oxidative stress during pregnancy. Further study is needed to determine the role of maternal oxidative stress in periodontal disease-associated adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Choosing the left fork: Steven Offenbacher and understanding maternal periodontal disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Steven Offenbacher was one of the first researchers to identify periodontal disease as a risk factor for various adverse pregnancy outcomes. Cohort and case-controlled studies of pregnant women have demonstrated periodontal disease as a risk factor for preterm birth, preeclampsia, and fetal growth restriction. Periodontal therapy during the second trimester improves maternal oral health but fails to reduce the risk of preterm birth. A possible association between periodontal disease and gestational diabetes has also been reported. In one model, periodontal bacteria gain access to the systemic circulation, and thereby the placenta, resulting in local inflammation, placental dysfunction, and, consequently, adverse pregnancy outcomes. It is crucial to increase awareness of the links between maternal periodontal and adverse pregnancy outcomes and to promote oral health prophylaxis during pregnancy.

Maternal periodontal disease and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 expression.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to examine the relationship between maternal periodontal disease and plasma angiogenic factor expression of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase (sFlt)-1. METHODS: This was a nested case-control study of 220 women, including 45 healthy women with evidence of active periodontal disease, 98 women without evidence of active periodontal disease, 13 women with fetal exposure to oral pathogens, and 64 women without fetal exposure to oral pathogens. Active periodontal disease was defined as the presence of moderate/severe periodontal disease and evidence of periodontal disease progression. Fetal exposure to oral pathogens was determined by fetal immunoglobulin M (IgM) umbilical cord seropositivity. Maternal plasma was collected at <26 weeks of gestation; umbilical cord blood was collected at delivery. sFlt-1 was measured with an immunoradiometric assay. Demographic and medical data were chart abstracted. Maternal variables and sFlt-1 concentrations were compared between cases and controls using the Student t and chi(2) tests and analysis of variance. RESULTS: The median sFlt-1 concentration at the time of enrollment for all women was 2,374 pg/ml (interquartile range [IQR]: 1,504 to 3,194 pg/ml). Women with evidence of fetal exposure to oral pathogens had significantly higher sFlt-1 concentrations compared to IgM-negative fetuses (3,383 pg/ml [IQR: 2,610 to 4,244 pg/ml] versus 2,123 pg/ml [IQR: 1,456 to 3,011 pg/ml]; P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Fetal exposure to oral pathogens was associated with increased plasma concentrations of sFlt-1 early in pregnancy.

Fetal exposure to oral pathogens and subsequent risk for neonatal intensive care admission.

BACKGROUND: Maternal periodontal infection has been associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. In utero fetal exposure to oral pathogens was also recognized as deleterious to the fetus. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between fetal exposure to oral pathogens and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study of maternal oral health and pregnancy outcome. Fetal immunoglobulin M against oral pathogens was detected in umbilical cord serum by immunoblot. The presence of at least one oral pathogen-specific antibody was considered seropositivity. The cord level of C-reactive protein was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and categorized as detectable versus undetectable. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses were used to determine the association between cord serum seropositivity or detectable C-reactive protein and NICU admission and length of stay. RESULTS: Of 650 infants, 45 (6.9%) were admitted to the NICU. The admission rate was higher among seropositive infants compared to seronegative infants (11% versus 5%; P = 0.0019). Seropositive infants were also more likely than seronegative infants to stay >3 or >7 days (8% versus 3% and 6% versus 2%; P = 0.004 and 0.003, respectively). Adjusting for gestational age, the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for NICU admission was 2.14 (1.01 to 4.54); for a length of stay >3 or >7 days, it was 2.38 (1.01 to 5.60) and 3.29 (1.13 to 9.58), respectively. The NICU admission rate was not significantly higher for those with detectable versus undetectable umbilical cord serum C-reactive protein (8% versus 6%; P = 0.3). CONCLUSIONS: In utero fetal exposure to oral pathogens increases the risk for NICU admission and the length of stay. Interventions that interrupt fetal exposure to oral pathogens may reduce these risks.

Maternal oral health in pregnancy.

Oral diseases are prevalent conditions; dental caries is the most common chronic childhood disease, and adult periodontal infection affects up to 40% of reproductive-aged women. Childhood caries is a preventable infectious disease, and maternal oral flora is one of the greatest predictors of the oral flora of her offspring. Periodontal infection is also preventable and has received recent attention as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and respiratory infection. Periodontal infection has also been associated with adverse pregnancy outcome. Effective preventive and treatment measures to reduce the morbidity of oral diseases exist, yet both caries and periodontal infection remain prevalent, particularly among racial and ethnic minorities and disadvantaged individuals. Given the evident relationships between oral and general health and between maternal and infant oral health, oral health care should be a goal for all individuals. Pregnancy offers an opportunity to educate women regarding oral health and treat them where appropriate. Research is ongoing to delineate the role of maternal oral health care in pregnancy outcomes and opportunities for positive intervention.

Maternal periodontal disease, systemic inflammation, and risk for preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: Maternal periodontal disease, a chronic oral infectious and inflammatory disorder, is associated with an increased risk for preeclampsia. Our objective was to determine the relationship between maternal periodontal disease, maternal systemic inflammation, and the development of preeclampsia. STUDY DESIGN: A secondary analysis of data from the Oral Conditions and Pregnancy Study was performed. A cohort of healthy pregnant women enrolled at less than 26 weeks underwent an oral health examination, serum sampling, and delivery follow-up. Periodontal disease was categorized clinically as present or absent. Maternal serum was assayed for C-reactive protein by high-sensitivity enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and stratified as elevated (> or = 75th percentile) or not elevated (< 75th percentile). Preeclampsia was defined as blood pressure > 140/90 mmHg and at least 1+ proteinuria on a catheterized urine specimen. Risk ratios (RR) for preeclampsia were calculated, stratified by periodontal disease and C-reactive protein level. RESULTS: Thirty-one (4%) of 775 women with complete data developed preeclampsia. Women with CRP > or = 75th percentile were more likely than those with CRP < 75th percentile to develop preeclampsia (7% vs 3%, P < .03; RR, 95% CI 2.2, 1.1-4.4). Women with periodontal disease and CRP > or = 75th percentile were at increased risk for preeclampsia (adjusted RR 5.8, 1.2-26.9), compared to women without periodontal disease and either CRP < 75th or > or = 75th percentile. CONCLUSION: Maternal periodontal disease with systemic inflammation as measured by C-reactive protein is associated with an increased risk for preeclampsia.

Periodontal disease early in pregnancy is associated with maternal systemic inflammation among African American women.

BACKGROUND: Maternal periodontal disease is a chronic oral infection with local and systemic inflammatory responses and may be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study determined whether maternal periodontal disease in early pregnancy is associated with elevated serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and whether maternal race influences the relationship between maternal periodontal disease and systemic inflammatory responses. METHODS: A secondary analysis of prospectively collected data from the Oral Conditions and Pregnancy study was conducted. Healthy women at <26 weeks of gestation underwent an oral health examination and had blood collected. Periodontal disease was categorized by clinical criteria, and maternal serum was analyzed for CRP levels using highly sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. An elevated CRP level was defined as >75th percentile. Demographic and medical data were obtained from the women's charts. Chi-square and multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine maternal factors associated with an elevated CRP. An adjusted odds ratio (OR) for elevated CRP levels was calculated and stratified by race and periodontal disease category. RESULTS: The median (interquartile) CRP level was 4.8 (0.6 to 15.7) microg/ml, and an elevated CRP level (>75th percentile) was 15.7 microg/ml. African American race and moderate/severe periodontal disease were significantly associated with elevated CRP levels. When stratified by race, moderate/severe periodontal disease remained associated with an elevated CRP level among African American women (adjusted OR: 4.0; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2 to 8.5) but not among white women (adjusted OR: 0.9; 95% CI: 0.2 to 3.6) after adjusting for age, smoking, parity, marital status, insurance status, and weight. CONCLUSION: Among African American women, moderate/severe periodontal disease is associated with elevated CRP levels early in pregnancy.

Institutional Protocols for Vaginal Preparation With Antiseptic Solution and Surgical Site Infection Rate in Women Undergoing Cesarean Delivery During Labor.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of institutional protocols for vaginal preparation with antiseptic solution and the surgical site infection rate in women undergoing cesarean delivery during labor. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of a multicenter randomized controlled trial of adjunctive azithromycin prophylaxis for cesarean delivery performed in laboring patients with viable pregnancies. The primary outcome for this analysis was the rate of superficial or deep surgical site infection within 6 weeks postpartum, as per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria. Maternal secondary outcomes included a composite of endometritis, wound infection or other infections, postoperative maternal fever, length of hospital stay, and the rates of hospital readmission, unexpected office visits, and emergency department visits. RESULTS: A total of 523 women delivered in institutions with vaginal antisepsis policies before cesarean delivery and 1,490 delivered in institutions without such policies. There was no difference in superficial and deep surgical site infection rates between women with and without vaginal preparation (5.5% vs 4.1%; odds ratio [OR] 1.38, 95% CI 0.87-2.17), even after adjusting for possible confounders (adjusted OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.43-1.73). The lack of significant benefit was noted in all other maternal secondary outcomes. CONCLUSION: Institutional policies for vaginal preparation before cesarean delivery were not associated with lower rates of surgical site infection in women undergoing cesarean delivery during labor.

Progressive periodontal disease and risk of very preterm delivery.

OBJECTIVE: The goal was to estimate whether maternal periodontal disease was predictive of preterm (less than 37 weeks) or very preterm (less than 32 weeks) births. METHODS: A prospective study of obstetric outcomes, entitled Oral Conditions and Pregnancy (OCAP), was conducted with 1,020 pregnant women who received both an antepartum and postpartum periodontal examination. Predictive models were developed to estimate whether maternal exposure to either periodontal disease at enrollment (less than 26 weeks) and/or periodontal disease progression during pregnancy, as determined by comparing postpartum with antepartum status, were predictive of preterm or very preterm births, adjusting for risk factors including previous preterm delivery, race, smoking, social domain variables, and other infections. RESULTS: Incidence of preterm birth was 11.2% among periodontally healthy women, compared with 28.6% in women with moderate-severe periodontal disease (adjusted risk ratio [RR] 1.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-2.3). Antepartum moderate-severe periodontal disease was associated with an increased incidence of spontaneous preterm births (15.2% versus 24.9%, adjusted RR 2.0, 95% CI 1.2-3.2). Similarly, the unadjusted rate of very preterm delivery was 6.4% among women with periodontal disease progression, significantly higher than the 1.8% rate among women without disease progression (adjusted RR 2.4, 95% CI 1.1-5.2). CONCLUSION: The OCAP study demonstrates that maternal periodontal disease increases relative risk for preterm or spontaneous preterm births. Furthermore, periodontal disease progression during pregnancy was a predictor of the more severe adverse pregnancy outcome of very preterm birth, independently of traditional obstetric, periodontal, and social domain risk factors. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-2.

Maternal periodontal disease in early pregnancy and risk for a small-for-gestational-age infant.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to determine whether periodontal disease is associated with delivery of a small-for-gestational-age infant. STUDY DESIGN: In a prospective study of oral health, periodontal disease was categorized as health, mild, or moderate/severe on the basis of clinical criteria. Small for gestational age was defined as birth weight less than the 10th percentile for gestational age. A risk ratio (95th percentile confidence interval) for a small-for-gestational-age infant among women with moderate or severe periodontal disease was calculated. RESULTS: Sixty-seven of 1017 women (6.6%) delivered a small-for-gestational-age infant, and 143 (14.3%) had moderate or severe periodontal disease. The small-for-gestational-age rate was higher among women with moderate or severe periodontal disease, compared with those with health or mild disease (13.8% versus 3.2% versus 6.5%, P < .001). Moderate or severe periodontal disease was associated with a small-for-gestational-age infant, a risk ratio of 2.3 (1.1 to 4.7), adjusted for age, smoking, drugs, marital and insurance status, and pre-eclampsia. CONCLUSION: Moderate or severe periodontal disease early in pregnancy is associated with delivery of a small-for-gestational-age infant. Understanding the mechanism of periodontal disease-associated adverse pregnancy outcomes could lead to interventions to improve fetal growth.

Pathophysiology of preterm birth: emerging concepts of maternal infection.

Preterm birth remains a significant health concern. Maternal reproductive infections such as bacterial vaginosis pose increased risk for preterm birth, although treatment of bacterial vaginosis has not proven to be universally effective in preterm birth prevention. Maternal oral infection such as clinical periodontal disease has also been identified as a risk factor for preterm birth, and pilot data suggest that oral treatment interventions undertaken during pregnancy may reduce preterm birth risk.

Oral health promotion interventions during pregnancy: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: Maternal oral disease during pregnancy is a significant public health issue due to its prevalence and lifecourse connections with adverse pregnancy/birth outcomes, early childhood caries, and chronic diseases. Although both medical and dental professional organizations have discipline-specific and co-endorsed guidelines, whether interventions exist that translate oral health evidence into practice remains unknown. Thus, we conducted a systematic review to examine the range, scope and impact of existing oral health promotion interventions during pregnancy. METHODS: Search terms related to oral health, health promotion, and pregnancy produced 7754 articles published before March 2013 from five search engines. INCLUSION CRITERIA: (i) intervention-based; (ii) quasi-experimental, experimental, or pretest/post-test design; (iii) pregnant women participants; (iv) outcomes including oral health knowledge, attitudes, and/or behaviors; (v) ≥5 participants; (vi) peer-review publication; and (vii) English language. RESULTS: All interventions (n = 7) were delivered in prenatal care settings and focused on education. Modalities varied, including the use of oral instruction and audiovisual presentations, in both individual and group formats; however, content was directed toward infant oral health. Few studies specifically addressed prenatal oral health guidelines. Primary outcomes measured included knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, self-efficacy and oral hygiene, and health-seeking behaviors. All but one study showed significant improvement in one of these outcomes postintervention. CONCLUSIONS: Few oral health interventions among pregnant women addressed oral-related symptoms, hygiene behaviors, and potential oral-systemic implications specific to mothers. Subsequently, more theory- and evidence-based interventions addressing current prenatal oral health guidelines using rigorous designs are needed to improve oral and systemic health for both women and their offspring.