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My Introduction to the Treatment of Pregnant Women

Early in life, I became aware of the fear and caution that can envelop health care practitioners when they are placed in a situation where they have to evaluate and treat a pregnant woman. My mother, a labor and delivery nurse, told me stories about her experiences. One time, the emergency room staff immediately transferred a patient to the labor and delivery unit upon finding out she was pregnant—without even assessing the chief complaint that brought her to the emergency room in the first place. It is likely that the emergency room staff had reservations about treating a pregnant woman without first obtaining a specialist’s opinion. I have observed what appears to be a similar fear from dental professionals who are reluctant to treat pregnant patients. Many dentists may fear that they may cause harm to the unborn baby or the expectant mother.

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To err on the side of caution, some dentists may hesitate to perform necessary procedures on pregnant patients. However, good oral health is essential to a healthy pregnancy and can help reduce prenatal complications, including preterm delivery and fetal loss. This book serves as an easy-to-use guide to help dentists of all specialties provide safe, effective care for their patients during pregnancy. The book is broken down into chapters on general treatment guidelines, pregnancy-related conditions in each organ system that may impact care, and the safety of the use of common dental drugs, including anesthetics, during pregnancy. With over 50 quick-reference charts and tables and a breakdown of treatment recommendations by trimester, this book is a must-have for any dental office.

Contents

• Perceptions About Dental Treatment During Pregnancy
• Considerations for Treating Pregnant Patients
• Complications and the Impact on Dental Care
• Procedures and Treatment Guidelines
• Administration of Drugs During Pregnancy
• Medications
• Anesthetic Use