Food insecurity and oral health care experiences during pregnancy: Findings from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System

Abstract

BackgroundFood insecurity has emerged as a salient risk factor for poor oral health in adult populations. A separate area of research also details that both poor oral health and food insecurity during pregnancy can have adverse consequences for maternal and infant well-being. The authors examine the connection between food insecurity and women’s oral health care experiences during pregnancy. MethodsData from 2016 through 2019 came from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (N = 21,080). Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to assess the association between food insecurity and 6 indicators of oral health care experiences during pregnancy. ResultsFood-insecure women reported worse oral health care experiences during pregnancy, including being more likely to need to see a dentist for a problem, going to see a dentist for a problem, not receiving dental prophylaxis, not talking with an oral health care provider about dental health, not knowing it was important to care for teeth, and having unmet oral health care needs. ConclusionsFood-insecure women exhibit worse overall oral health outcomes and unmet oral health care needs during pregnancy. Practical ImplicationsConsidering the risk that both food insecurity and oral health problems pose for maternal and infant health, interventions that can reduce food insecurity and improve oral health and oral health care access among pregnant women are important steps in promoting greater health equity.