A pregnant woman receiving prenatal dental care.

Healthy Smiles, Healthy Pregnancy: Why Prenatal Dental Care Matters

Q: Why is dental care important during pregnancy?

Dental care is critically important during pregnancy because of the biological, psychological, and social changes a woman experiences. These changes can increase susceptibility to oral health issues. Hormonal shifts can intensify periodontal inflammation. Dietary changes and inconsistent oral hygiene can worsen oral health. The integration of comprehensive dental care into prenatal programs is essential to promote better maternal and child health, and reduce the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as perinatal mortality, prematurity, and pre-eclampsia.

Q: What are the common obstacles to receiving dental care during pregnancy?

Several hurdles exist. Expecting mothers may underestimate the importance of dental care. They may also have anxieties about potential discomfort. Accessibility issues within public health services can also pose challenges. Some believe treatments should wait until after childbirth, and some professionals may hesitate to intervene, leading to delayed or avoided necessary procedures. These factors collectively impact the ability of pregnant women to receive timely and adequate dental care.

Q: How did the study in Brazil assess the impact of dental care?

The study conducted in the Metropolitan Region of Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil, evaluated the self-perceived response to dental care during prenatal assistance within the Unified Health System (SUS). Researchers interviewed 1,032 postpartum women and examined 1,006 prenatal records. The women's self-perceived responses were measured using the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14). Dental care was considered adequate if it addressed educational, preventive, and curative needs when an impact was identified. If no impact was noted, assistance was still considered adequate if it covered educational and preventive aspects.

Q: What types of dental care did the study participants receive, and what were the outcomes?

The study revealed that participants received different types of dental care: educational (41.3%), preventive (21%), and curative (16.6%). The research highlighted that 14.7% of women reported that their oral health impacted their quality of life. The study also found that six or more prenatal appointments, coupled with educational activities, were closely associated with adequate dental care (p < 0.05), underlining the importance of combining regular health service visits with educational measures to enhance prenatal care.

Q: How can expecting mothers be empowered through dental care, according to the findings?

Empowerment comes from integrating dental care into prenatal programs. By prioritizing education, prevention, and accessible treatment, healthcare providers can significantly improve the oral health and overall well-being of pregnant women. Regular attendance at health services and participation in educational activities during prenatal care are key. This approach leads to healthier pregnancies and better outcomes for both the mother and the child. The study's findings highlight the importance of these measures in the SUS for promoting improved maternal and child health.

Soraya Malik in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Uncover the vital link between oral health and a safe pregnancy, and learn how accessible dental care can transform maternal and infant well-being."

Access to dental care during pregnancy faces numerous hurdles, ranging from expecting mothers underestimating its importance to anxieties about potential discomfort and accessibility issues within public health services. Some believe dental treatments should wait until after childbirth, fearing risks to the baby, while some professionals hesitate to intervene, delaying or avoiding necessary procedures.

Pregnancy triggers biological, psychological, and social changes that can increase a woman's susceptibility to oral health issues. Hormonal shifts can intensify periodontal inflammation or lead to new oral pathologies. Dietary changes coupled with inconsistent oral hygiene can worsen oral health during pregnancy. Socioeconomic factors, like school dropout among pregnant teens and job loss, can further compound social vulnerability.

These changes can negatively impact a pregnant woman's quality of life. Oral health issues can limit daily activities and affect overall well-being. Recognizing the proven links between oral diseases and adverse pregnancy outcomes—such as perinatal mortality, prematurity, and pre-eclampsia—it's clear that integrating comprehensive dental care into prenatal programs is essential for empowering women and promoting better maternal and child health.

The Study: Linking Prenatal Care with Dental Well-being

A pregnant woman receiving prenatal dental care.

A study was conducted in the Metropolitan Region of Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil, to assess the self-perceived response to dental care during prenatal assistance within the Unified Health System (SUS). Researchers interviewed 1,032 postpartum women and copied 1,006 prenatal records to evaluate the impact of dental care on their quality of life.

The women's self-perceived responses were measured using the Oral Health Index Profile-14 (OHIP-14). Dental care was deemed adequate if it addressed educational, preventive, and curative needs when an impact was identified. If no impact was noted, assistance was considered adequate if it covered educational and preventive aspects.

Impact on Quality of Life: 14.7% of women reported that their oral health impacted their quality of life.
Types of Dental Care Received:
- Educational: 41.3%
- Preventive: 21%
- Curative: 16.6%
Prenatal Appointments: Six or more prenatal appointments, combined with educational activities, were closely associated with adequate dental care (p < 0.05).

The study highlighted that access to dental services is greatly improved when pregnant women regularly attend health services and participate in educational activities during prenatal care. These educational measures appear to enhance prenatal care within the SUS, underscoring their importance in promoting healthier outcomes.

Empowering Expecting Mothers Through Dental Care

Integrating dental care into prenatal programs is essential. By prioritizing education, prevention, and accessible treatment, healthcare providers can significantly improve the oral health and overall well-being of pregnant women. Empowering mothers with knowledge and resources leads to healthier pregnancies and brighter futures for both mother and child.

About this Article -

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Everything You Need To Know

Why is dental care important during pregnancy?

Dental care is critically important during pregnancy because of the biological, psychological, and social changes a woman experiences. These changes can increase susceptibility to oral health issues. Hormonal shifts can intensify periodontal inflammation. Dietary changes and inconsistent oral hygiene can worsen oral health. The integration of comprehensive dental care into prenatal programs is essential to promote better maternal and child health, and reduce the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as perinatal mortality, prematurity, and pre-eclampsia.

What are the common obstacles to receiving dental care during pregnancy?

Several hurdles exist. Expecting mothers may underestimate the importance of dental care. They may also have anxieties about potential discomfort. Accessibility issues within public health services can also pose challenges. Some believe treatments should wait until after childbirth, and some professionals may hesitate to intervene, leading to delayed or avoided necessary procedures. These factors collectively impact the ability of pregnant women to receive timely and adequate dental care.

How did the study in Brazil assess the impact of dental care?

The study conducted in the Metropolitan Region of Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil, evaluated the self-perceived response to dental care during prenatal assistance within the Unified Health System (SUS). Researchers interviewed 1,032 postpartum women and examined 1,006 prenatal records. The women's self-perceived responses were measured using the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14). Dental care was considered adequate if it addressed educational, preventive, and curative needs when an impact was identified. If no impact was noted, assistance was still considered adequate if it covered educational and preventive aspects.

What types of dental care did the study participants receive, and what were the outcomes?

The study revealed that participants received different types of dental care: educational (41.3%), preventive (21%), and curative (16.6%). The research highlighted that 14.7% of women reported that their oral health impacted their quality of life. The study also found that six or more prenatal appointments, coupled with educational activities, were closely associated with adequate dental care (p < 0.05), underlining the importance of combining regular health service visits with educational measures to enhance prenatal care.

How can expecting mothers be empowered through dental care, according to the findings?

Empowerment comes from integrating dental care into prenatal programs. By prioritizing education, prevention, and accessible treatment, healthcare providers can significantly improve the oral health and overall well-being of pregnant women. Regular attendance at health services and participation in educational activities during prenatal care are key. This approach leads to healthier pregnancies and better outcomes for both the mother and the child. The study's findings highlight the importance of these measures in the SUS for promoting improved maternal and child health.