Use of Oral Health Services Among Pregnant Women and Associations With Gestational Diabetes and Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy: Insights from the 2016-2020 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System

In the United States, fewer than 40% of pregnant women seek preventive oral health care, highlighting a persistent gap in service utilization. Analysis of Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) data from 2016-2020 (Phase 8) reveals key factors linked to lower oral health care use during pregnancy. These include lack of dental insurance, Medicaid enrollment, absence of routine dental care before pregnancy, and inadequate education from health care providers on the importance of oral health. This study examines diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups to understand better disparities in access to oral health care during pregnancy.