Every time we get a pregnant patient in we have to get a clearance from their ob/gyn. Why aren’t these doctors automatically informing the patient about the importance of going to the dentist before and during pregnancy?
Numerous patients get scared or use pregnancy as an excuse NOT to go to the dentist. When in fact we all know that an infection in the mouth can lead to early labor and a premature baby etc.
I cannot tell you how many pregnant women come to my office and need SRP because it’s been years since they last went to the dentist or gross decay. When are these ob/gyn doctors going to listen up and help us inform the patient of the importance of oral health during pregnancy!?!
Recently I had a pregnant patient and she needed localized SRP so I faxed a clearance form to her ob/gyn. It was like pulling teeth to get a clearance form from this doctor! I had hand written a note on the clearance letter stating the procedure to be done: Localized scaling and root planing with anesthesia, because she was getting some fillings done as well. The nurse called me back and asked what the heck is scaling and root planing, oops I didn’t know I had to write in layman’s terms. I told her a deep cleaning because the patient has a gum infection/gum disease. The nurse said well did you give her an antibiotics? I said no that’s not how you get rid of gum disease we have to do a deeper cleaning to get it out. After 4 days of phone tag waiting for a response with the doctors office they faxed me back and under which analgesia he approved of us using he wrote: Tylenol. So, are we supposed to inject this lady with Tylenol and do her SRP? I’m a bit afraid of this doctor to deliver babies when he can’t even fill a simple form out correctly!
I agree with and understand the importance of educating and communicating with the medical community. One point of clarification I would offer is that there is increasing evidence that periodontal disease is in fact a systemic infection and is, therefore, treatable with antibiotics, provided the bacteria responsible are identified, and proper regimen prescribed.