Many pregnant people don't get the dental care they need, even though it's safe and important. The CHEER Study offers free dental check-ups, cleanings, and supplies to help participants take care of their teeth and gums during pregnancy. The purpose of this research study is to compare two types of noninvasive oral health interventions to evaluate their effectiveness. We want to learn if one method is more effective in supporting oral health and improving pregnancy outcomes. There are two aims of this study:
Aim 1: To evaluate whether a structured oral health intervention reduces periodontal inflammation during pregnancy and postpartum in pregnant people with indicators of periodontal disease.
Aim 2: To assess whether a structured oral health intervention is associated with changes in oral health behaviors or birth outcomes in pregnant people with periodontal disease.
Pregnant individuals aged 18 years or older with indications of periodontal diseases (gingivitis or mild periodontitis, moderate to severe periodontitis)
Less than 20 weeks pregnancy at time of enrollment
Has dental insurance (Medi-Cal or private coverage)
Willing and able to provide informed consent
Presence of systemic diseases or medical conditions that require antibiotic prophylaxis for dental procedures
Current immunosuppressive therapy/use of anti-inflammatory medications
Receipt of active periodontal treatment within the past 6 months
Complete edentulism (no natural teeth)
Parallel
Enhanced Care
BehavioralAll participants receive standard oral hygiene education at the baseline visit.
Enhanced Care +
BehavioralAll participants receive standard oral hygiene education at the baseline visit. Test participants also receive a home oral care kit (toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss), and will start receiving weekly oral health check-ins and reminder surveys following their initial visits at one-week intervals starting the day after their baseline visit
Change in periodontal inflammation
Change in periodontal inflammation by survey and exam from baseline to 28-\<36 weeks gestation to postpartum follow-up.
Changes in oral health behaviors
Change in patient reported 1) teeth brushing twice a day, 2) teeth brushing for two minutes each time, 3) daily use of floss among test and control participants
Difference in birth outcomes between test and control groups
Exploratory outcome: Differences between test and control participants: total weeks gestational age at delivery, preterm birth (\<37 gestational weeks), birthweight (in grams), low birth weight delivery (\<2500 grams), growth for gestational age percentile, and small for gestational age infant (infant birth weight lower than 10th percentile).
Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.
University of California, San Francisco
Lead sponsor
Colgate Palmolive
Collaborator
