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Perinatal Oral Health Among Underserved Women: A Call to Action for North Carolina Patients, Providers and Policymakers.
Matern Child Health J. 2020 Mar; 24(3):351-359.MC

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Knowledge gaps exist among providers and pregnant women about the importance and safety of oral health care around pregnancy. This article describes the current state of perinatal oral health and healthcare among underserved women in North Carolina (NC) and provides policy recommendations to improve their access to and utilization of dental services.

METHODS

A descriptive analysis is provided using (a) 2016 oral health surveillance data of a convenience sample of 459 pregnant women across NC, (b) 2014-2016 Medicaid dental provider and dental services utilization data for the Medicaid for Pregnant Women (MPW) program, and (c) 2017 Medicaid dental benefits policy. Surveillance data was not linked to Medicaid dental services utilization data.

RESULTS

Less than 20% of pregnant women surveyed reported having a dental visit during pregnancy and oral screenings revealed 33% had untreated caries. Medicaid data showed a steady decline since 2014 in percentage of MPW beneficiaries utilizing any dental service-less than 10% as of 2016. MPW dental benefits lapse at delivery because dental care is not considered pregnancy-related in NC policy. Only 20% of practicing NC dentists provided care to MPW beneficiaries in 2015.

DISCUSSION

Inadequacies in oral health knowledge, beliefs and practices exist among pregnant women, health care professionals and policymakers. Statewide efforts are needed to promote a standard of perinatal care that emphasizes collaborative practice and addresses existing barriers at the patient, provider and policy levels.

Links

Publisher Full Text (DOI)

Authors+Show Affiliations

Stephens R
Regional Public Health Dentist, Oral Health Section, Division of Public Health, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, 1910 Mail Service, Raleigh, NC, 27699-1910, USA. Rhonda.Stephens@dhhs.nc.gov.
Quinonez R
Pediatric Dentistry and Pediatrics, Schools of Dentistry and Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
Boggess K
Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
Weintraub JA
Department of Dental Ecology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.

MeSH

AdultDental CareDentistsFemaleHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeHealth PolicyHumansMedicaidMedically Underserved AreaNorth CarolinaOral HealthPerinatal CarePolicy MakingPregnancyPregnant WomenUnited StatesYoung Adult

Pub Type(s)

Comparative Study
Journal Article

Language

eng

PubMed ID

31897932

Citation

Stephens, Rhonda, et al. "Perinatal Oral Health Among Underserved Women: a Call to Action for North Carolina Patients, Providers and Policymakers." Maternal and Child Health Journal, vol. 24, no. 3, 2020, pp. 351-359.
Stephens R, Quinonez R, Boggess K, et al. Perinatal Oral Health Among Underserved Women: A Call to Action for North Carolina Patients, Providers and Policymakers. Matern Child Health J. 2020;24(3):351-359.
Stephens, R., Quinonez, R., Boggess, K., & Weintraub, J. A. (2020). Perinatal Oral Health Among Underserved Women: A Call to Action for North Carolina Patients, Providers and Policymakers. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 24(3), 351-359. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-019-02868-4
Stephens R, et al. Perinatal Oral Health Among Underserved Women: a Call to Action for North Carolina Patients, Providers and Policymakers. Matern Child Health J. 2020;24(3):351-359. PubMed PMID: 31897932.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - Perinatal Oral Health Among Underserved Women: A Call to Action for North Carolina Patients, Providers and Policymakers. AU - Stephens,Rhonda, AU - Quinonez,Rocio, AU - Boggess,Kim, AU - Weintraub,Jane A, PY - 2020/1/4/pubmed PY - 2020/10/30/medline PY - 2020/1/4/entrez KW - Basic Screening Survey KW - Collaborative practice KW - Medicaid KW - Oral health KW - Prenatal care SP - 351 EP - 359 JF - Maternal and child health journal JO - Matern Child Health J VL - 24 IS - 3 N2 - INTRODUCTION: Knowledge gaps exist among providers and pregnant women about the importance and safety of oral health care around pregnancy. This article describes the current state of perinatal oral health and healthcare among underserved women in North Carolina (NC) and provides policy recommendations to improve their access to and utilization of dental services. METHODS: A descriptive analysis is provided using (a) 2016 oral health surveillance data of a convenience sample of 459 pregnant women across NC, (b) 2014-2016 Medicaid dental provider and dental services utilization data for the Medicaid for Pregnant Women (MPW) program, and (c) 2017 Medicaid dental benefits policy. Surveillance data was not linked to Medicaid dental services utilization data. RESULTS: Less than 20% of pregnant women surveyed reported having a dental visit during pregnancy and oral screenings revealed 33% had untreated caries. Medicaid data showed a steady decline since 2014 in percentage of MPW beneficiaries utilizing any dental service-less than 10% as of 2016. MPW dental benefits lapse at delivery because dental care is not considered pregnancy-related in NC policy. Only 20% of practicing NC dentists provided care to MPW beneficiaries in 2015. DISCUSSION: Inadequacies in oral health knowledge, beliefs and practices exist among pregnant women, health care professionals and policymakers. Statewide efforts are needed to promote a standard of perinatal care that emphasizes collaborative practice and addresses existing barriers at the patient, provider and policy levels. SN - 1573-6628 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/31897932/Perinatal_Oral_Health_Among_Underserved_Women:_A_Call_to_Action_for_North_Carolina_Patients_Providers_and_Policymakers_ DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -