Research > Environmental Scan > Patterns > Expectant Mothers

Expectant Mothers

Pregnancy is the ideal time to reach and educate mothers with early childhood messages since they have the intrinsic motivation to do what is best for their unborn child and they have a purpose larger than themselves, e.g. their child’s health and well-being. At this stage, you are attempting to promote generational change and break the cycle of the effects of poverty.
Dental Aid and Cavity Free at Three
Two for one – Treat a pregnant woman and both she and her child win
Research shows that women with periodontal disease are 3 to 5x more likely to have an underweight pre-term baby. As a result of the Bright Smiles for Bright Futures program that treated pregnant moms so they would have healthier and cleaner gums, the clinic had fewer low-birth-weight babies and preterm births.
  • These moms were educated on the benefits of oral health for both mom and the baby.
  • These moms were more likely to bring their children to the dentist and bring them in earlier.
  • The children, by age 3, have one third as many cavities as other kids in the same income group
  • The cavities and smaller and less expensive to treat
  • They are more likely to avoid surgery and going to the hospital
  • This is also significant because ECC = Early Childhood Caries (caries = the disease, cavities are a symptom of the disease) are:
  • Most common chronic disease in children (5x more common than asthma)
  • Number one cause for lost school time
  • 80% of the disease is in 25% of the population
  • 25% of children in the US experience their first dental visit in an emergency room
Nurse-Family Partnership
From Program Approach
Voluntary enrollment of first-time, low-income mothers: optimal time to promote positive behaviors
From Program Overview
Nurse-Family Partnership is a relationship-based program that partners highly-trained professional nurses with vulnerable first-time mothers and their babies. The program transforms lives through improved pregnancy outcomes, promotion of child health and development, and the encouragement of economic self-sufficiency for families. Invest in Kids selected Nurse-Family Partnership as our first program because of its life-changing impact for mothers and babies, demonstrated through long-term, rigorous scientific research.