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Pregnancy and Oral Health
During pregnancy, oral health care is essential, yet often underutilized.
Poor oral health during pregnancy is linked to preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy), preterm birth, and low-birth-weight infants.
Adequate pre- and postnatal care, better interprofessional communication between oral health and maternal health providers, and policies to expand Medicaid coverage could significantly improve these poor outcomes, especially for Black women.
75%
44%
3x
10.5%
Latest Research About Pregnancy and Oral Health
The Role of Medicaid Adult Dental Benefits During Pregnancy and Postpartum
This research report recommends four specific actions that state and federal policymakers can take to address barriers to care for pregnant people. The top recommendation is to extend postpartum coverage in Medicaid from 60 days to at least 12 months.
Addressing the Role of Oral Health in Maternal Mortality and Pregnancy Outcomes
This visual report examines the worsening state of maternal and infant health in the US and the overlooked connection between oral health and pregnancy outcomes.
Continuing Education about Pregnancy and Oral Health
Exploring the Myths and Misconceptions about Oral Health and Pregnancy
Join CareQuest Institute and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) for a webinar — featuring a dentist and an OBGYN — that will explore the oral health-obstetrics connection and provide up-to-date information for treating patients who are pregnant. Our expert panel will discuss the bidirectional relationship between oral health and perinatal outcomes, the impact of the oral microbiome on the fetal microbiome, and the FDA's amalgam update.
State Dashboard
Medicaid Adult Benefits During Pregnancy and Postpartum and Birth Outcomes by State
Policymakers, administrators, and advocates can use this tool to examine Medicaid expansion and eligibility in their state and ensure they are providing coverage that supports the oral health and overall health of pregnant people and their babies.
