The association between income disparities and prenatal oral health: Results from the 2009-2011 North Carolina Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System

Access to adequate dental care is a problem in the U.S., particularly for economically disadvantaged individuals. During pregnancy, women are at increased risk of developing adverse oral health conditions, such as periodontitis, which can potentially lead to negative birth outcomes. Prior studies have examined racial disparities in oral health, but few have examined the association between household income and prenatal oral health outcomes and access to oral health care. The purpose of this study was to examine further the effect of health disparities, measured through self-reported income, on prenatal oral health and access to oral health care services. This study was a secondary data analysis of 3,111 women between 18 and 45 years of age who participated in the 2009-2011 North Carolina Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS). Annual household income was self-reported by participants and classified as low (<...