Skip to main content

Ask the Docs

Dental Health

Dental Health

Information for Prenatal and Dental Providers

Get in Touch

Get in Touch

Email
Phone
512-776-2008
Mailing Address

Oral Health Improvement Program
MC 1818
P.O. Box 149347
Austin, TX 78714-9347
United States

Physical Address

Oral Health Improvement Program
1100 West 49th Street
Austin, TX 78756
United States

Ask the Docs

This series addresses common questions about oral health care during pregnancy. It was designed for prenatal and dental providers and their support staff. 

Sessions feature experts to guide meaningful discussion and provide accurate information. Recordings and resources from each session are posted below. 

This series was hosted in partnership with the Children's Oral Health Coalition led by Cook Children's as part of the Coordinated Care for Pregnant Teens + Women (CC4PT+W) initiative. This collaboration ran from 2020 to 2023.

Do No Harm: The Ethics, Myths & Business of Caring for Pregnant Women

Tuesday, November 1, 2022

Tony R. Bertolino, Esq. answered common questions about ethical dilemmas, risks, and the business of caring for pregnant women. 

Who Do You Call: Making the Referral Connection

Wednesday, September 28, 2022

Patricia Braun, M.D. (Denver Health) and Rhonda Stokley, DDS (Texas Department of State Health Services) discussed medical/dental referral workflows for pregnant patients. Moderated by Monica Anderson, DDS (Sun Life DentaQuest), they answered questions and provided insights about how to establish a referral process. 

Maternal Depression: Signs, Facts, and Resources

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Kia Carter, M.D., Lisa M. Elliott, PhD., and Helen Thomas, LCSW, PMH-C explored how dental and medical providers can work together to address the mental health of pregnant and postpartum women. The mental health of the mother can impact her baby's future health.  

Resource:

Transitioning from Adolescent to Adult Medical and Dental Care

Wednesday, March 23, 2022 

Meera S. Beharry, M.D. FAAP, FSAHM (Adolescent Medicine Consulting, LLC) and Shanna Combs, M.D., FACOG (Cook Children's Pediatric Gynecology) talked about the issues pregnant teens face, and the importance of engaging adolescents in their medical and oral health journey before, during, and after pregnancy. They discussed:

  • Strategies for supporting pregnant teens as they transition from pediatric to adult medical and dental care; 
  • Doctor/teen confidential consult, rights of minors, parental consent, and questions to ask;
  • Stigmas as a barrier to care; and
  • Tips for creating a teen friendly environment. 

Importance of Oral Health During Pregnancy

Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Shanna M. Combs, MD, FACOG (Cook Children's) and Rhonda Stokley, DDS (Texas Department of State Health Services) discussed the link between oral health and overall health during pregnancy and how a mother's oral health impacts baby.

Resources:

Safety of Dental Treatment and COVID-19 Vaccination During Pregnancy 

Wednesday, September 22, 2021

Andrea Palmer, MD, FACOG (Fenom Women's Care) and Tonya Fuqua, DDS (Cook Children's) discussed the safety of routine dental care for pregnant patients including use of x-rays, pain medications, and local anesthesia. Questions regarding the COVID-19 virus and vaccines were also addressed.

Resources:

Last reviewed and updated: January 29, 2025