Delivering oral health care in gestational diabetes: an interview study to develop a theory and evidence-derived model for healthcare professionals
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.57177/idn.v18.342Keywords:
oral health, gestational diabetes, care delivery model, behaviour changeAbstract
Introduction: Women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have a higher prevalence of periodontal disease, whilst oral health is implicated in blood glucose management and GDM development. Oral health may also impact birth weight and prematurity; however, it is often an overlooked topic in maternity care. The complexity and intensity of GDM, and the higher prevalence of psychological distress associated with this condition, call for a tailored approach to oral health care in GDM. Oral health deserves more attention in GDM considering its impact on diabetes and pregnancy-related outcomes.
Aim and methods: This study aimed to explore the support needs of women regarding oral health care within the context of GDM management and to identify specific intervention strategies to address these needs. Semi-structured interviews inspired by co-design principles were conducted, and thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The output was the development of a theory and evidence-derived care delivery model for healthcare professionals (HCPs) to promote oral health in GDM.
Results and conclusions: The model instructs HCPs in oral health care delivery in GDM. Specifically, the model describes what is needed to engage women with GDM in oral health care and proposes specific intervention strategies to accommodate these needs. The model can also be applied in maternity care to provide HCPs with a structured approach to addressing oral health. The utilisation of our model may improve oral health status, blood glucose management, and health outcomes for women with GDM.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Camilla Böhme Kristensen, Koula Asimakopoulou, Mark Ide, Angus Forbes
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