pregnancy and oral health C D A J O U R N A L , V O L 5 0 , Nº 4
C.E. Credit: Part 2 of 3
Improving Oral Health and Overall Health for Pregnant People and Infants Katrina Holt, MPH, MS, RD, and Ruth Barzel, MA
abstract Background: This article describes the Perinatal and Infant Oral Health Quality Improvement (PIOHQI) initiative, launched to improve integration of preventive oral health care into primary care for pregnant people and infants. Case description: Pregnancy is characterized by physiological changes that may adversely affect oral health and increase the risk for oral diseases. Hormonal and immunologic changes make pregnant people susceptible to oral health problems, which can have implications for infant oral health. The PIOHQI initiative worked to improve integration of preventive oral health care into primary care for pregnant people and infants. Practical implications: Project findings provide promising evidence for efficacy of PIOHQI interventions. Keywords: Pregnant people, infants, oral health
AUTHORS Katrina Holt, MPH, MS, RD, is the project director for the National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center at Georgetown University. She is a fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None reported.
Ruth Barzel, MA, is a senior editor/writer for the National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center at Georgetown University. Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None reported.
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regnancy is a unique time of life characterized by complex physiological changes that may adversely affect oral health and increase risk for oral diseases.1 Pregnancy can lead to oral health problems in people, including increased risk for tooth decay and gum disease. Several factors play a part in a pregnant person’s oral health: financing oral health care; people’s ability to access and utilize care; people’s knowledge, attitudes and behaviors; and workforce preparedness and willingness to provide oral health care to pregnant people. Behavioral (e.g., vomiting, increased frequency of eating), hormonal and immunologic changes make pregnant people susceptible to oral health problems
that can have implications for infant oral health. Local, systemic, genetic and environmental conditions can affect the formation of teeth throughout life. During pregnancy, maternal risk factors for tooth anomalies and developmental defects of the teeth include pregnancy problems, smoking and malnutrition.2,3 After pregnancy, a mother’s oral health is closely associated with their infant’s oral health. Mothers with high levels of the bacteria that cause tooth decay can transmit the bacteria to their infants.4 The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) suggests that providing counseling on good oral health behaviors, promoting optimal oral hygiene and providing treatment during the perinatal period (i.e., pregnancy and APRIL 2 0 2 2
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