Prenatal care to get a boost with Medicine Hat clinic - Alberta Health Services

New research from the USA shows that scheduling a dental appointment during prenatal clinic visits – a simple, no-cost task that doesn't require extra staff – increases the likelihood that patients later see a dentist during pregnancy.© bluecinema/E+/Getty The study, published in the American Journal of Public Health,1 demonstrates the benefit of coordination among health providers and integrating oral health into prenatal care, especially for vulnerable patient populations. Historically, dentists avoided treating women during pregnancy unless it was an emergency, or only provided care during the second trimester. This guidance changed once studies showed that routine and emergency dental care is safe during pregnancy. Current obstetric and dental guidelines in the US stress that dental care can and should be provided during this critical period.2Moreover, pregnancy increases the risk of some oral health conditions, including gum inflammation and sometimes tooth decay, making routine dental care even more important during pregnancy. Some oral health issues may affect the foetus or even be transmissible to the child after birth.