64 - Evaluation of Prenatal Oral Health Program in a dental school: 2015-2022

Abstract: The Prenatal Oral Health Program (pOHP) was established in 2015 at School of Dental Medicine – ECU. The aim of this program is to improve oral health for pregnant women by facilitating dental care access.

Objectives: In this study we evaluated the number of pregnant women that were referred through this program and who has been seen at the dental clinic and the dental procedures they received.

Methods: This observational study used de-identified electronic health record data from patients referred through the pOHP program between 2015-2022. Data on the treatments performed were summarized.

Results: From 2015 to October/2022, there were, respectively, 39, 150, 103, 184, 472, 299, 431 and 329 pregnant women referred. Over the same period the proportion that were seen for dental treatment has declined from 72% in 2015 to only 14% in 2022. A relatively high percent of visits was classified as emergency visits and extractions were the most common dental procedure, occurring in about 36% of patients each year.

Conclusions: Although the number of pregnant women referred to the dental school clinic has increased, the number of women that were treated did not increase. Most of the treatments were extractions. This data shows the need to investigate barriers to dental treatment. A recent policy change to extend dental benefits under Medicaid to pregnant women for 12 months postpartum provides an opportunity to improve access to dental treatment, as well address gaps in oral health knowledge.

Source of Funding: None