Influence of Socioeconomic Status on the Association between Prenatal Periodontal Care and Preterm Low Birthweight Delivery: A Population-Based Case-Control Study

We report the effect of in-pregnancy periodontal care intensity on the risk of preterm low birthweight (PLBW) births, and the role of household income in this association. Only a few studies have examined the role of socioeconomic status (SES) in the relationship between prenatal periodontal care and risk of PLBW delivery under universal health care. This study adopted a population-based, case-control study using medical claims data in Taiwan. Mothers of PLBW and non-PLBW babies with livebirth deliveries between 2001 and 2005 (cases, n=20430 and controls, n=81573, respectively) were identified using the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) and matched. Periodontal disease and disease-specific (gingivitis and periodontitis) dental service utilization was calculated during gestational period and analyzed for its association with risk for PLBW delivery. Household income as proxy for SES was tested for modification effect. Prevalence of periodontitis and gingivitis was significantly higher _______________