Protecting Your Smile
By: Wendy S. Hubbard, RN, MCHC and Linda Greaves, Dental Hygienist, Vermont Department of Health, Morrisville Office
Pregnancy is a busy time for a woman. Remembering to take time for yourself is important. One item that is easy to overlook during the excitement is maintaining your oral health. Going to the dentist during your pregnancy is safe and one of the first things you can do to provide for the health of your baby.
In a recent Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) report, only 63% of women had their teeth cleaned in the year prior to their pregnancy and only 62% of women had their teeth cleaned during pregnancy.
Dental care is so important during pregnancy that in Vermont if you are insured by Medicaid there is an expanded dental benefit through pregnancy and continues for 60 days after the baby is born. The PRAMS report stated 28% of women with Medicaid that had a dental problem did not think they could afford to go to the dentist. The Medicaid expanded dental coverage has no required co-pay or cap on services. You are fully covered!
Twenty-eight percent of women enrolled in Medicaid that needed a dentist according to the PRAMS report could not find a dentist who accepted Medicaid. Women can call the Vermont Department of Health (VDH) at 800-464-4343 for assistance in finding a local dental provider.
This website http://www.healthvermont.gov/local/morrisville has links to the twelve local health offices for the phone number to the office closest to you.
For further information on oral health resources for the whole family please visit the VDH website: http://www.healthvermont.gov/wellness/oral-health/resources-health-professionals.