Prenatal Appointment Scheduling Increases Dental Care Use During Pregnancy

Study finds Medicaid patients were 2.6 times more likely to see a dentist when visits were arranged at the clinic.

By
News Staff
August 13, 2026

Inside Dentistry

Overview

Research indicates that scheduling dental appointments during prenatal visits significantly enhances dental care utilization among pregnant patients. The study highlights the effectiveness of immediate appointment scheduling and patient navigation in improving access to dental services.

Background

Inadequate oral health during pregnancy is linked to adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, including pre-eclampsia and low birth weight. Integrating dental care into prenatal services is crucial, as pregnancy can exacerbate oral health issues. Current guidelines support the provision of dental care during pregnancy, emphasizing the importance of routine screenings and referrals.

Data Highlights

Finding	Value
Patients referred to NYU College of Dentistry	420
Completion rate of dental appointments	44%
Increased likelihood of seeing a dentist with scheduled appointments	2.6 times

Key Findings

Immediate scheduling of dental appointments increased dental care utilization during pregnancy.
Patients with scheduled appointments were 2.6 times more likely to see a dentist compared to those without.
Working with a bilingual patient navigator also improved dental care access but was less effective than immediate scheduling.
Nearly 44% of patients referred completed a dental appointment.
Integration of oral health screenings into prenatal care is feasible and beneficial.

Clinical Implications

Healthcare providers should consider integrating dental appointment scheduling into prenatal care to enhance patient access to necessary dental services. This approach may help address oral health disparities among pregnant women, particularly those with Medicaid coverage.

Conclusion

The study demonstrates that scheduling dental appointments during prenatal visits can effectively increase dental care utilization among pregnant patients.