It is an alarming trend that both maternal mortality and preterm birth rates have increased in the United States during the last three years. Even more alarming: Those rates are especially high for people of color.
A visual report from CareQuest Institute examines the worsening state of maternal and infant health in the US, and the often overlooked connection between oral health and pregnancy outcomes.
Key points from the report include:
- In the US in 2020, 861 individuals died of pregnancy-related causes (an increase of 14% from 2019), and about 1 in 10 babies were born prematurely.
- Black and American Indian/Alaska Native women are 2.9 and 2.5 times more likely, respectively, to die from pregnancy-related causes than non-Hispanic white women.
- The preterm birth rate among Black women is 52% higher than the rate among all other women.
- A small but significant correlation exists between periodontitis and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Maternal periodontal disease is associated with preterm birth and preeclampsia.
These findings demonstrate the importance of communication between dentists and patients regarding the oral health risks during pregnancy, and the benefits of oral hygiene best practices for both maternal and infant health.
You may also be interested in:
- The Role of Medicaid Adult Dental Benefits During Pregnancy and Postpartum, a research report that recommends specific actions policymakers can take to address barriers to care for pregnant people enrolled in Medicaid.
- Dashboard: Medicaid Adult Dental Benefits During Pregnancy and Postpartum and Birth Outcomes by State, a data visualization that breaks down information about Medicaid expansion and eligibility for pregnant people by state.
- A Change That Can Help Address the Black Maternal Health Crisis, a blog post from CareQuest Institute President and CEO Myechia Minter-Jordan, MD, MBA, that discusses how expanding access to oral health care before, during, and after pregnancy can change lives and bring us closer to real health equity.
