Improving Access to Oral Health Care: Integrating dental hygienists into federally qualified health center obstetrics and gynecology clinics in Michigan.

Dental hygienists (DHs) are well positioned to be part of primary care teams to increase access to oral health care, particularly for those who encounter barriers to oral care, such as pregnant people. The Michigan Initiative for Maternal and Infant Oral Health (MIMIOH) integrates DHs into obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) clinics in federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) to improve pregnant people's oral health. Evaluation of the MIMIOH program revealed that selecting DHs with personal characteristics desirable for integrated-care delivery was a major factor for successfully integrating DHs into OB/GYN clinics.

MDA Dentists and Pregnant Patients: A Survey of Attitudes and Practice.

Objectives There are dental and medical consensus statements stating oral health care is safe throughout pregnancy. This survey seeks to assess the attitudes and practice of Michigan Dental Association dentists regarding the oral health and treatment of pregnant patients as a preliminary assessment to facilitate state perinatal oral health initiatives. Methods Surveys were sent to all 4,494 Michigan Dental Association (MDA) members via the Michigan Dental Association List Serv between July and September of 2013 using an online survey instrument.