Community Organizations

Thank you for being part of the effort to improve children's oral health in Maine. Educating pregnant people, parents, and caregivers about preventing and treating dental disease is critical. 

Evidence suggests that most infants acquire cavity-causing bacteria from their mothers. Providing pregnant individuals with counseling on oral health behaviors may reduce the risk for this transmission and improve the oral health of the whole family.

For more information of the importance of your role in promoting good oral health behaviors, see below.

Dental Treatment During Pregnancy is Both Safe and Effective

Community organizations, such as your own, can play a major role in educating families about good oral health behaviors as well as linking families with dental resources in their communities.

According to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Committee Opinion on Oral Health Care during Pregnancy, “regular dental care is a key component to good oral and general health,” and “women should be counseled about the maintenance of good oral health habits throughout their lives as well as the safety and importance of oral health care during pregnancy.”

According to the National Consensus Statement on Oral Health Care During Pregnancy, preventive, diagnostic, and restorative dental treatment during pregnancy are all considered both safe and effective in improving oral health. However, studies have indicated many dentists may be unwilling to treat pregnant patients. A survey of Maine dentists found that 60% of respondents believed elective treatment should be delayed until after pregnancy and 84% identified various restrictions on dental treatment during pregnancy.

Your help is necessary in order to change these attitudes!

Optional Trainings for Oral Health Information

Before the First Tooth

Before the First Tooth has developed a 20-minute virtual training to provide your organizations with important oral health information.  Click on the photo below to begin the online training! 

Smiles for Life

Smiles for Life has created a course that addresses the importance of oral health before, during, and after pregnancy. You will explore the prevalence of oral disease during pregnancy and its consequences for both pregnant people as well as children. You will also review dental treatment guidelines for this time period. Click the link below to access this training!