Targeting Oral Health To Vulnerable Mothers

Women are at greater risk of poor oral health during pregnancy due to hormonal variations, changes to their diet, and morning sickness. This heightened risk may have serious consequences for the baby, with evidence suggesting that poor oral health
during pregnancy may lead to increased pre-term births and lower birth weights—particularly for women from lower socio economic backgrounds.

And the risk remains after birth: decay-causing bacteria can be transferred from mother to baby through shared spoons and dummies.

Despite the consequences, pregnant women don't access dental services as often as they should. In Australia, only around a third of pregnant women see a dentist even when they have a dental problem, and across the developed world the figures are similar: in the USA, it is between 23-49%; in the UK, even with a comprehensive 'free' dental care system offered through the National Health Service, it ranges from 33-64%.

Dr Ajesh George has been working to find the best way of improving the oral health of pregnant women. The main problem is knowledge: even though dental health problems are common in pregnancy, less than ten percent of women receive any information about oral health during their pregnancy.Antenatal care providers—midwives, GPs, obstetricians and gynaecologists—have limited knowledge about the safety of dental treatment during pregnancy and the impact of failing to have this treatment.

A survey conducted by Ajesh and his team to gauge the level of knowledge among antenatal care providers in NSW found an average correct response of 60% and that only 16% of those surveyed discussed oral health with their clients.

'We now know that it's safe to have dental treatment during pregnancy, including cleaning, fillings, extractions and even x-rays,' Ajesh says. 'The consensus is that you need to address any dental infection during pregnancy to ensure the best health outcomes for both the mother and the baby.'

Ajesh has developed a first of its kind program to address the lack of knowledge about oral health during pregnancy, targeted at the pivotal role midwives play in the health outcomes of their clients.

'The Midwifery Initiated Oral Health Program (MIOH) is improving the knowledge and confidence of midwives to promote oral health as well as the oral health outcomes, knowledge,quality of life and uptake of dental services among pregnant women,' says Ajesh.

For further information about the MIOH Study please contact Dr Ajesh George.

Ends

March 2016