Oral health and preterm delivery education: a new role for the pediatric dentist.
A variety of epidemiological, animal and intervention studies support a positive link between preterm delivery and the presence of periodontal disease in the pregnant women. Although the exact mechanism underlying this association is still unclear, evidence is accumulating that oral bacteria, and especially P gingivalis, can invade the placental tissues and trigger inflammatory responses which will result in release of effector molecules involved in preterm delivery. However, the medical profession has yet to assume a role in the education of the pregnant women about her oral health. We believe that the dental profession, including the pediatric dentist, should play an active role in transferring the current knowledge on this subject to the expecting mother in order to minimize the risks of preterm delivery.
Katz
Joseph
J
Division of Diagnostic Sciences, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainsville, USA.
Orchard
Ashley Brooke
AB
Ortega
Jennifer
J
Lamont
Richard J
RJ
Bimstein
Enrique
E
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D023421:Models, Animal; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010377:Pediatric Dentistry; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000517:prevention & control*