STORY: GUM
DISEASE & PREMATURITY STUDY
SCRIPT #520 SHOOT: 7/17/03
AIRDATE: Monday, August 25, 2003
Daybreak and Midday
DHC #18 Timecode: 16:55 A new study released today
offers evidence that treating gum disease in pregnant women prevents
them from giving birth too early.
About 12 percent of all babies in the
U.S. are born prematurely. The study
suggests a dental procedure early in pregnancy could help the mother avoid premature labor.
Dr. Linda Niessen explains the connection in today’s Dental Health
SOVT: 1:48 Check.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PREMATURE BABY IN ICU (VOICE-OVER)
Prematurity in babies increases the risk of death and lasting disabilities.
PREGNANT WOMAN Countless researchers have studied the health of the mother to find causes of early labor during pregnancy.
PREGNANT WOMAN AT DENTIST Gum disease appears to be a risk
factor.
GRAPHIC The latest study published in
Journal of Periodontology the Journal of Periodontology links
Links woman’s risk of delivering a woman’s risk of delivering prematurely
prematurely to her periodontal to her periodontal disease. The study
disease. from the University of Alabama at
Women with gum disease-- Birmingham found that women with
“were 3 to 8 times more likely gum disease were 3 to 8 times more
to have a premature baby.” likely to have a premature baby.
SUPER: Dr. Pat Blanton (“This study is significant in that its not
Periodontist :37-43 only the first of its kind, but its been
performed by one of our leading
researchers. And its really very
important too, because it also offers an
intervention during the course of
pregnancy.”)
Page 2
PROCEDURE That intervention is a simple procedure
called scaling and root planing.
PROCEDURE A dentist or hygienist carefully cleans the surfaces of the tooth root to remove plaque and tartar.
MORE PREGNANT WOMEN Scaling and root planing reduces
inflammation or swelling.
This is critical. Inflammation
triggers the release of chemicals called prostaglandins that can cause preterm labor.
DR. BLANTON (“Prostaglandins get into the blood
stream and they can have other impact
too.”)
GRAPHICS The Alabama study included more than
Journal of Periodontology 350 pregnant women with gum
University of Alabama-Birmingham disease.
--More than 350 pregnant women Researchers found that scaling and root
--Scaling and root planning planing reduced premature births by as
reduced premature births by as 84
percent.
much as 84 percent.
(ON CAMERA) (STAND-UP CLOSE)
SUPER: Dr. Linda Niessen Any infection including a periodontal or
Baylor College of Dentistry gum infection during pregnancy is
1:32-1:36 cause for concern. So if you are
planning to get pregnant, you need
two check-ups: one with your physician
and one with your dentist.
For Baylor College of Dentistry, Texas
A & M System, I’m Dr. Linda Niessen,
Channel 8 News.
See August Journal posted on website:
American Academy of
Periodontology
Article in Journal of
Periodontology
“Periodontal Disease &
Preterm Birth:
Results of a Pilot
Intervention Study”
by Dr. Marjorie Jeffcoat and
others