Midwives
Pregnancy is an important time for women to look after their oral health. Recent research has linked the poor oral health of pregnant women with premature births, low birth weights and an increased risk of early childhood dental caries in their children. The information and resources below will help you to support better oral health during pregnancy.
Oral health promotion programs for midwives
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 | Through the Healthy Families, Healthy Smiles initiative, DHSV is supporting midwives working in antenatal care to build knowledge, skills and confidence to include oral health promotion in their work with women. |
 More about Healthy Families, Healthy Smiles | |
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Resources for midwives
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 | This online training package is recognised by the Australian College of Midwives and allocated 16 CPD points. DHSV is providing the course at low cost or free of charge to a limited number of midwives working in antenatal care in Victoria. To find out more, contact the Healthy Families, Healthy Smiles team. |
| More about Midwifery Initiated Oral Health Education | |
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 | Why oral health should not be forgotten by midwives A collaborative process between La Trobe University’s School of Nursing and Midwifery and DHSV has resulted in this video discussion between Dr Hanny Calache(Director of Clinical Leadership DHSV) and two senior midwives Stacey Gilbert (the Royal Women’s Hospital) and Deborah Pidd (the Mercy Hospital for Women). |
| Why oral health should not be forgotten by midwives video | |
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Antenatal care guidelines | |
 | The Clinical Practice Guidelines: Antenatal Care — Module I provides evidence-based advice on the care of pregnant women in a range of settings. The guidelines include a section on oral health to support health professionals working with women in the early antenatal period. |
 More about the antenatal care guidelines | |
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Resources for your clients
 Pregnancy and oral health fact sheet [PDF - 397 KB] |
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| How to brush guide (includes dentures) [PDF -534 KB] |
| How to brush your child's teeth guide [PDF - 669 KB] |
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| Translated oral health information |
| Full DHSV resource library |
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Useful links
| Better Health Channel – Teeth and pregnancy |
| The Australian Dietary Guidelines and Infant Feeding Guidelines |
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