• Time:9:00 - 10:00 AM PDT
  • Date:

Series Overview

Oral health is an often overlooked, but critical, component of perinatal health. National guidance affirms that dental care is safe and recommended during pregnancy. Untreated oral disease is associated with pain, infection, poor nutrition, and potential adverse birth outcomes. However, many pregnant people report that their providers discouraged or refused to provide routine dental care, or they lacked clear information on what is safe. Misconceptions, workforce silos between dentistry and perinatal care, limited access to culturally and linguistically appropriate services, and broader social determinants such as food and insurance coverage further widen oral health disparities.

The Dental Care in Pregnancy (DCP) ECHO program aims to address these challenges by equipping providers with up-to-date, evidence-based guidelines and practical tools for safe dental care in pregnancy, addressing fears and myths related to oral care during pregnancy, integrating resources for mental health, social determinants, and food access, and increasing accessibility for underserved communities. 

This initiative will implement ongoing workforce development, patient and caregiver education, and community awareness activities through eight 1-hour interactive Zoom sessions, four aimed at providers (perinatal, pediatric, and dental providers) and four sessions that are community-facing (pregnant/parenting individuals, doulas, community health workers, WIC, and community partners). The four community-facing sessions will include simultaneous Spanish interpretation and Spanish translation of materials. All sessions will be open to the entire target audience to allow for interprofessional education and resource-sharing. 

 

Series Leaders

  • Omara Afzal, DO, MPH, FACOG, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Capital Health
  • Lauren Butler, MSN, RN, CNM, RNC-OB, Axia Women’s Health, Garden State OBGYN
  • Stacy Onofrietti, PhD, MS, RDH, CHP, FADHA, Immediate Past President New Jersey Dental Hygienists’ Association, NJDHA Oral Health Coalition & Give Kids A Smile Liaison, Share A Smile Administrator & Data Analyst, Rutgers-Nutritional Sciences Department-EFNEP Supervisor, Middlesex College-Adjunct Professor
  • Stefanie Russell, DDS, MPH, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine
  • Sarah Yavelberg, MD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
  • Rutgers New Jersey Medical School WIC Staff (rotating) 
 

Learning Objectives

After participating in this ECHO, participants will be able to:

  1. Describe the importance and safety of dental care during pregnancy and early parenting.
  2. Identify common oral health conditions in pregnancy and their relationship to maternal and infant health outcomes.
  3. Address myths and fears among providers and community members about dental treatment in pregnancy through clear, culturally and linguistically appropriate communication.
  4. Integrate oral health into perinatal, pediatric, and community workflows through interprofessional collaboration.
  5. Apply practical tools and resources to promote good oral health for pregnant and parenting individuals, as well as their children. 
 

Continuing Education Accreditation

The CE Accreditation for Physician (CME), Nursing (CNE), Pharmacist (ACPE), Dental, and Social Work will be provided upon registration.

  • Continuing Education (CE) certificates will only be issued with the completion of the following surveys:
    • Pre-Series Assessment before your first session
    • Session Feedback Form after each session attended
    • Post-Series Assessment after the series concludes

 

REGISTER NOW