Most women do not access oral health care during
pregnancy despite evidence that poor oral health can
have an adverse impact on the health of a pregnant
woman and her child. In this issue brief we explore
how oral health practices and utilization of dental care
among pregnant women may affect a woman’s overall
health, her birth outcome, and the oral health of her
children. We also review guidelines and statements
developed by professional organizations and states
that instruct health professionals on providing
appropriate dental care to pregnant women in order to
prevent dental caries and periodontal disease, deliver
appropriate dental treatment, and mitigate the costs of
untreated dental disease. We explain how many patient,
physician, workforce and financial barriers are limiting
utilization of perinatal dental care and conclude with
opportunities for health plans to play an important role
in removing these barriers to ensure that all pregnant
women have access to needed dental care.