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Abstract

Objectives: Since 1996, substantial evidence showed that pregnant patients’ oral health and pregnancy outcomes are related. The objectives were to assess general dentists’ education, knowledge, and behavior related to treating pregnant patients and how COVID-19 changed behavior related to these patients’ treatment.

Methods: 2,500 surveys were mailed to general dentists who were members of the American Dental Association; 96 letters were undeliverable and 253 surveys were completed (Response rate: 10.52%).

Results: 50.2% agreed/strongly agreed that they were well-educated in dental school about treating pregnant patients. Only 34% were satisfied with this education. The majority knew that periodontal disease was associated with preterm delivery (71.8%) and low birth weight (69.3%), and that pregnant patients can safely undergo basic dental treatment (90%), root canal treatment (90.5%), and tooth extractions (82.8%). The majority delivered fillings (78.4%), periodontal treatment (69.2%), and root canal therapy (66.2%) to pregnant patients. Nearly all dentists (94%) delivered routine examinations and cleanings, and discussed the importance of oral health during pregnancy (91.6%); 38.6% were concerned about legal risks, and 38.6% believed there were no guidelines for treating pregnant patients. The COVID-19 pandemic did not change treatment patterns for the majority of respondents. The better their dental school education was, the more knowledge they had about treating pregnant patients (r=0.19; p<0.001) and the more likely they were to deliver this care (r=0.30; p<0.001).

Conclusions: Increased dental school and continuing education about the effects of pregnant patients’ oral health on pregnancy outcomes is needed to improve much-needed related knowledge and professional behavior.

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