PRENATAL DENTAL CARE PROTOCOLS: THE ROLE OF PREVENTION AND ORAL HEALTH PROMOTION DURING PREGNANCY

Abstract

Pregnancy is a period marked by significant physiological, hormonal, and behavioral changes that can directly influence a woman's oral health and, consequently, impact maternal and child health. In this context, prenatal dental care plays a relevant role in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of oral diseases during pregnancy, contributing to the promotion of adequate health conditions for the pregnant woman and fetal development. The present study aimed to analyze, through a review of recent scientific literature, the main aspects related to prenatal dental care, with emphasis on care protocols, barriers to access to services, and strategies for prevention and promotion of oral health during pregnancy. To this end, a narrative literature review was conducted using the PubMed database, employing the descriptor “Prenatal Dental Care,” according to the terminology of the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). Articles published in the last five years, available in full text and written in Portuguese or English, that directly addressed the proposed topic were included. The search initially resulted in the identification of 300 records. After applying eligibility criteria and conducting the stages of title and abstract screening, followed by full-text reading, 10 articles met the established criteria and were included in the analysis. The analyzed studies indicate that changes in the oral microbiota during pregnancy may favor the development of periodontal diseases and odontogenic infections, which, when untreated, may be associated with adverse obstetric outcomes. In addition, socioeconomic, structural, and informational factors influence pregnant women's access to dental services. Therefore, it is evident that the integration between dentistry and prenatal care, combined with educational and preventive strategies, is essential to expand access to care, promote oral health among pregnant women, and contribute to better maternal and child outcomes. It is important to emphasize that dental follow-up during pregnancy is of utmost importance to prevent the occurrence of cariogenic disease in both the pregnant woman and the developing fetus, thus representing a strategy capable of protecting children from a source of cariogenic risk during early childhood.