Dental health concerns in pregnancy: Need for a collaborative management approach

A woman undergoes a series of physiological states such as puberty, pregnancy and menarche. A number of anatomical, physiological and hormonal changes occur in pregnancy which not only affects the maternal health but also the health of the child. Oral health is an integral part of overall general health and is often neglected due to lack of knowledge and awareness and an unfavourable attitude.It definitely has its impact upon the systemic health and everyone should be aware about the same.This further needs due consideration in a pregnant women as peculiar oral changes and their impact on the new born infant pregnancy outcome have been discussed and documented with sufficient evidence.Much has been talked about common oral health issues during pregnancy like gingivitis, periodontitis, pyogenic granuloma etc and their management. Patient’s education regarding the oral hygiene and abnormal pregnancy outcome (pre-term birth, low body weight birth) is extremely essential. These conditions may be prevented by appropriate monitoring of dental health in pregnancy and also by providing dental care in such patients.Patients should be referred to the dental health care provider for dental needs during the time of pregnancy. A collaboration of dental and medical health care givers must be made and is an effective channel to provide the best possible treatment and management of these patients.This article discusses the importance of oral health care during pregnancy and how an integration between the medical and dental health provider can go a long way to attend the oral health concerns during this time.