Pink and blue balloons filled the University of Maryland Women's Health Center Penn Street, on October 17, as University of Maryland School of Dentistry (UMSOD) hygiene students took center stage during a community baby shower, delivering valuable information about oral health during pregnancy to expectant and new mothers.

CDHL students Jenna Baguyos, Emily Chaffer, Jade Harris, Simran Uddin, and Prof. Lisa Bress

The timing was fitting, as October is National Dental Hygienist Month, and the event showcased the prevention-focused work that dental hygienists do in community settings.

Second-year Clinical Dental Hygiene Leader (CDHL) students Emily Chaffer, Jenna Baguyos, Simran Uddin, and Jade Harris opened the afternoon program, presenting information on oral health during pregnancy and infancy to approximately 10 mothers from the Women's Health Center and patients from the University of Maryland Medical Center's Midtown and Redwood practices.

"Pregnancy is very teachable time for moms because they're really into doing what's best for the baby, so they're ready to learn," said Lisa Bress, RDH, MS, UMSOD clinical associate professor and division chief, Dental Hygiene Program, Department of Advanced Oral Sciences and Therapeutics. "The healthier the mom's mouth is, the healthier the baby's mouth is once the baby is delivered."

The dental hygiene students tackled common misconceptions about pregnancy and oral health. Chaffer explained that many women don't know proper oral care after morning sickness.

"Some women don't know that after they have morning sickness, they shouldn't brush their teeth right away. They should wait at least 30 minutes," Chaffer said. "Usually, it helps to do a water rinse or a baking soda mix when they throw up, so it keeps their mouth at a basic level rather than acidic."

An acidic mouth environment can promote cavity formation, the students explained. Bress added that pregnancy hormones can worsen gum inflammation and that untreated cavities pose risks for both mother and baby.

"If there's active decay, that decay-causing bacteria in the mouth is transmissible once the baby delivers," Bress said. "So, if you kiss the baby or you test hot food first, if you have active cavities, that decay goes in the baby's mouth."

The students also addressed nutrition, explaining how calcium intake affects both mother and baby, and discussed the risks of frequent snacking on sugary foods during pregnancy.

The presentation resonated with attendees, who asked pointed questions about access to care and were especially delighted to learn about services for pre- and post-natal moms offered at UMSOD.

Shabriya Buckner, 29 weeks pregnant and expecting in December, came to the center for a doctor's note but stayed when she saw the baby shower setup. The dental presentation particularly caught her attention.

"I learned about dental care at the university, which is really good for me because I don't have a dentist that works with my insurance for things that I need done with my teeth," Buckner said. "I learned how dental health affects pregnancy. Some of us get a little too comfortable. We don't understand how our mouths can affect the unborn baby."

A Personal Mission

For Baguyos, the community work carries deep personal significance. Her sister experienced severe postpartum depression, and she felt helpless watching her loved one struggle.

"I knew that when I picked a profession, I was going to somehow tie that in," Baguyos said. "At first I couldn't really see the link, and then it became very clear talking with my mentors."

She and Chaffer are developing a capstone project examining the connection between postpartum depression and oral health, building on research that shows mental health can affect self-care, including oral hygiene.

"It's all about prevention," Baguyos said. "We want to get in there and educate people and let them know that they have a voice and deserve support."

Training the Next Generation of Community Health Leaders

The students' participation in the baby shower exemplifies the mission of the B.S./M.S. Dual Degree Clinical Dental Hygiene Leader (CDHL) program, which prepares dental hygienists to lead community health initiatives beyond traditional clinical settings.

"They learn a lot of leadership skills, research skills, presentation skills, so that they could develop and administrate and lead an oral health program that's not clinical, but has a clinical component," Bress said. The program emphasizes connecting oral health to other disciplines and underserved communities.

Bress has worked to develop strategic partnerships and programs aimed at expanding access to oral health care for Marylanders. In 2018 she launched a collaboration between the School of Dentistry and the University of Maryland School of Medicine's Women's Health Center, which integrates oral health into prenatal care offered to mothers in Baltimore. Through the case management program, funded by the Maryland Department of Health, Penn Street nurses conduct oral health risk assessments for all new prenatal patients.

The program has evolved from asking a single question about whether patients have a dentist to a four-question screening that begins a conversation about oral health needs and referrals.

Connecting Mothers to Care

The festive event, organized by Julia Mason, a social worker at the Women's Health Center and supported by Alexandra Bell, clinical nurse manager, also featured presentations on car seat safety, safe sleep practices, birth control, and postpartum mental health. Attendees enjoyed cupcakes, games, and prizes throughout the afternoon.

"I think it's all about partnering and collaborating, just bringing the best experiences to our patients," Bell said of the multi-disciplinary approach.

Before leaving, mothers received hygiene bags prepared by the dental students containing toothbrushes and toothpaste for their families, along with information about accessing care at the School of Dentistry.

Connection to care, Bress noted, is often the first step toward better oral health outcomes for both mothers and their babies. For Bress and her students, the baby shower's direct community engagement is what prevention looks like in action.