Research Supplement to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research Parent Project: Effects of Pregnancy and Postpartum Medicaid Dental Benefit Generosity On Use Of Dental Services

Project Summary: The purpose of this pilot study is to explore postpartum women’s oral health knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors (KABs) during and after pregnancy in Florida, and to identify specific barriers and facilitators to dental service use, unmet dental needs, and the intent to use dental

services in the postpartum period. Oral health is integral to overall health, particularly for maternal and infant health outcomes. Despite its importance, many women face barriers to accessing dental care during pregnancy, such as financial constraints and lack of awareness, leading to untreated disease and poor systemic health. This study addresses a gap in

understanding the specific oral health needs of postpartum women, especially given recent policy changes expanding Medicaid eligibility for postpartum women in Florida. This study addresses the oral health needs of postpartum women in light of recent Medicaid policy changes in Florida that expand eligibility for this population. To capture diverse

perspectives, the study will develop and administer a survey in both English and Spanish, targeting Florida’s growing Hispanic population, which represents 26.4% of the state’s residents, with 22.2% identifying Spanish as their primary language. By including Spanish-speaking participants, the study aims to provide more nuanced insights into the factors influencing dental

service use. Data will be collected from postpartum women at UF Health Shands Hospital through anonymous surveys. The study will analyze key barriers and facilitators to dental service utilization, unmet needs, and intent to seek dental care postpartum, while examining relationships between socio-demographic and clinical factors and oral health KABs.

The findings will inform larger-scale studies and interventions, including a planned focus group study, and provide preliminary data for a career development award application by Dr. Cilia Zayas. This pilot study will lay the groundwork for developing strategies to improve dental health outcomes for a diverse postpartum population in Florida.