77 - Reported Barriers to Dental Care Among U.S. and Non-U.S. Pregnant Women: A Narrative Review
Description/Abstract/Artist Statement
INTRODUCTION
Dental care during pregnancy is essential to a healthy delivery and early childhood development. While dental care is recommended by health and dental professionals and stakeholders, the prevalence of pregnant women who seek dental care remains low due to reported and perceived barriers. This narrative review sought to identify reported barriers to dental care among U.S. and non-U.S. pregnant women.
Methods:
The literature search was conducted from October 2024-March 2025 and included peer-reviewed, quantitative and qualitative articles written in English published between 2000-2025. Searches were conducted in PubMed, Dentistry and Oral Sciences, and CINAHL databases using keywords “pregnancy and dental service and barriers” and “oral health and dental care and pregnancy.” Relevant studies were selected and analyzed to compare barriers encountered by pregnant women in the U.S. and abroad.
Results:
A total of 31 articles, 10 U.S. articles and 21 non-U.S. articles were included in this review. In general, most of the reported barriers were the same for U.S. and non-U.S. pregnant women. The most commonly mentioned barriers were misconceptions about dental care, cost, perceived need, fear/anxiety, safety concerns, and inadequate knowledge about dental care.
Conclusions:
Identifying the commonly reported barriers to dental care encountered among pregnant women may assist in developing intentional interventions that target these concerns. Addressing these concerns may increase access to dental care thereby improving oral health outcomes.
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Denise C. McKinney PhD, RDH, FADHA
Faculty Advisor/Mentor Department
Ellmer College of Health Sciences - Gene W. Hirschfeld School of Dental Hygiene
College Affiliation
College of Sciences
Presentation Type
Poster
Disciplines
Dentistry
77 - Reported Barriers to Dental Care Among U.S. and Non-U.S. Pregnant Women: A Narrative Review
INTRODUCTION
Dental care during pregnancy is essential to a healthy delivery and early childhood development. While dental care is recommended by health and dental professionals and stakeholders, the prevalence of pregnant women who seek dental care remains low due to reported and perceived barriers. This narrative review sought to identify reported barriers to dental care among U.S. and non-U.S. pregnant women.
Methods:
The literature search was conducted from October 2024-March 2025 and included peer-reviewed, quantitative and qualitative articles written in English published between 2000-2025. Searches were conducted in PubMed, Dentistry and Oral Sciences, and CINAHL databases using keywords “pregnancy and dental service and barriers” and “oral health and dental care and pregnancy.” Relevant studies were selected and analyzed to compare barriers encountered by pregnant women in the U.S. and abroad.
Results:
A total of 31 articles, 10 U.S. articles and 21 non-U.S. articles were included in this review. In general, most of the reported barriers were the same for U.S. and non-U.S. pregnant women. The most commonly mentioned barriers were misconceptions about dental care, cost, perceived need, fear/anxiety, safety concerns, and inadequate knowledge about dental care.
Conclusions:
Identifying the commonly reported barriers to dental care encountered among pregnant women may assist in developing intentional interventions that target these concerns. Addressing these concerns may increase access to dental care thereby improving oral health outcomes.