Oral Health Care for Pregnant Women = Early Prevention and Cost Savings
Ensuring that pregnant women have dental care is important because the bacteria that cause tooth decay is often transmitted from moms to babies. Dental disease may also cause complications during pregnancy that are expensive to treat and put babies at risk.
Preventing and treating dental disease in pregnant women can promote healthier pregnancies and lead to better oral health for thousands of children. Results from Washington’s latest 2010 Smile Survey show we need to focus more on prevention- nearly 40% of children in our state start kindergarten having experienced tooth decay. Research shows that for children, early prevention can substantially reduce future dental costs.
What the Legislature can do to increase access for pregnant women:
- Modeled after the nationally recognized Access to Baby and Child Dentistry program:
- Approve a pilot for an enhanced Medicaid dental benefit for pregnant women and people with diabetes (link to diabetes page), that included an enhanced reimbursement rate for dental providers and case management services for pregnant women to address barriers that make it difficult to access care and stress the importance of oral health.
Learn more from our Fact Sheet.
A National Workgroup comprised of oral health and prenatal care representation from over twenty-five national organizations like the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Dental Association has created a consensus statement on how to manage oral health care during pregnancy. This document is helpful for both pregnant women and their health providers.
Oral Health Watch
8 hours ago
No one should be denied a modern day health standard because of where they live. Yet Washington state lags behind the rest of the nation in providing residents access to community water fluoridation - a proven effective health standard that has helped improve oral health for nearly 80 years. ...#teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
11 hours ago
No one should be denied a modern day health standard because of where they live. Yet Washington state lags behind the rest of the nation in providing residents access to community water fluoridation - a proven effective health standard that has helped improve oral health for nearly 80 years. ...#teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
1 days ago
Every child deserves an opportunity to enjoy the benefits of good oral health. When we provide access to quality oral health care for low-income children, we can significantly improve their overall well-being, quality of life and ability to thrive. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
2 days ago
Every child deserves an opportunity to enjoy the benefits of good oral health. When we provide access to quality oral health care for low-income children, we can significantly improve their overall well-being, quality of life and ability to thrive. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
2 days ago
Providing oral health care access for lower-income workers can make a profound difference in health and quality of life. Bad breath, tooth loss, and visible decay can significantly impact employment opportunities for working adults with:
✅decreased confidence
✅increased absenteeism
... ✅lower productivity
✅potential negative perceptions by employers, colleagues and customers. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
2 days ago
Providing oral health care access for lower-income workers can make a profound difference in health and quality of life. Bad breath, tooth loss, and visible decay can significantly impact employment opportunities for working adults with:
✅decreased confidence
✅increased absenteeism
... ✅lower productivity
✅potential negative perceptions by employers, colleagues and customers. #teethmatter