Johnson M, George A, Dahlen H, Ajwani S, Bhole S, Blinkhorn A, Ellis S, Yeo A. The midwifery initiated oral health-dental service protocol: an intervention to improve oral health outcomes for pregnant women.
BMC Oral Health 2015;
15:2. [PMID:
25588410 PMCID:
PMC4324677 DOI:
10.1186/1472-6831-15-2]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2014] [Accepted: 01/05/2015] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Evidence is emerging that women's poor oral health and health practices during pregnancy are associated with poor oral health in their children and potentially an increased risk of pre-term or low-birth weight infants.
METHODS/DESIGN
The Midwifery Initiated Oral Health-Dental Service (MIOH-DS) trial is a three arm multicentre randomised controlled trial which will recruit women from three metropolitan hospitals aimed at improving women's oral health and service access and indirectly reducing perinatal morbidity. All three arms of the trial will deliver oral health promotion material, although a midwife oral assessment and referral to private/public/health fund dental services pathway (Intervention Group 1) and the midwife oral assessment and referral to local free public dental services pathway (Intervention Group 2) will be compared to the control group of oral health promotional material only. Midwives will undergo specific oral health education and competency testing to undertake this novel intervention.
DISCUSSION
This efficacy trial will promote a new partnership between midwives and dentists focused on enhancing the oral health of women and their infants. Should the intervention be found effective, this intervention, with existing on-line educational program for midwives, can be easily transferred into practice for large metropolitan health services within and beyond Australia. Further cost-benefit analysis is proposed to inform national health policy.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12612001271897.
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