Ann Periodontal, Dec 2001 •Preliminary follow up studies have shown professional oral health care administered during pregnancy to this at-risk group actually improved pregnancy … The Research•The prevalence of premature delivery among mothers with moderate to severe periodontal disease may be as high as 11%. Ann Periodontal, Dec 2001•Preliminary follow up studies have shown professional oral health care administered during pregnancy to this at-risk group actually improved pregnancy outcomes. JAMA, April 28, 2004 Growing …

The Research •The prevalence of premature delivery among mothers with moderate to severe periodontal disease may be as high as 11%. Ann Periodontal, Dec 2001 •Preliminary follow up studies have shown professional oral health care administered during pregnancy to this at-risk group actually improved pregnancy outcomes. JAMA, April 28, 2004 Growing evidence supports the need for all pregnant women to receive a professional cleaning and dental exam during their pregnancy. Early dental visits are an opportunity for women with periodontal disease to be identified and treated to reduce their risk of preterm delivery. Periodontal disease is a gram-negative, anaerobic oral infection capable of producing chemical inflammatory mediators that appear to be linked to the onset of labor. Timing of Dental Visits Preventive oral care services should be provided early in pregnancy. Some dentists prefer to wait until after 12 weeks to avoid maternal nausea. Women planning a pregnancy should be encouraged to maintain good dental hygiene and see a dentist before becoming pregnant. Using a Referral Prescription Complete a Prenatal Dental Referral Prescription for each patient to assist the dentist in providing safe care to your patient. Some dentists will only treat pregnant women if they receive a referral from the physician. Diagnostic X-Rays are Considered Safe Proper radiographic techniques ensure that radiation exposure to the fetus is as low as possible. Current dental practices advise using lead shielding for the abdomen and thyroid, digital or E/F speed film and avoiding retakes when possible. Diagnostic x-rays are typically well below the 5 rads level that is considered safe exposure during pregnancy. A single dental x-ray is 1/1000th of a rad and cannot be measured by conventional dosimetric techniques. Oral Surg Oral MedOral Pathol. 1993;75:631-637 Safe Drug Therapy •Antibiotics that may be safely administered during pregnancy and lactation include penicillin, cephalosporins, amoxicillin, clavulanic acid, and clindamycin. Erythromycin may also be used, except the estolate form. •Acetaminophen is the analgesic of choice. Combinations of acetaminophen with codeine or oxycodone may be used for short-term management of acute pain. Before the third trimester, ibuprofen may be given with caution. •Lidocaine is the most commonly used local anesthetic. Etidocaine and Prilocaine are also considered safe.

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