Oral health means more than good teeth; it is integral to general health and essential for wellbeing [1]. The two most prevalent oral afflictions are dental caries and periodontal diseases. In the US, over 90% of adults 20 years or older experienced caries within the past year [2]. Almost all oral diseases are preventable. However it is estimated that half of all women experience a dental disease during pregnancy [3] with only half of them seeking dental care [3]. This places undue burden on public health since many studies show that maternal oral health has significant implica – tions for birth and pregnancy outcomes in addition to infant oral health [6]. Furthermore, poor pregnant women disproportionately fail to obtain care [4] even though low-income women and women of racial and ethnic minority groups are more likely to have periodontal disease [5]. The American Academy of Periodontology recommends that women have a periodontal evaluation before pregnancy and that they maintain good oral hygiene during pregnancy [7]. Michigan is using evidence-based interventions to aggressively develop oral health prevention strategies but only for children. Data on the burden of oral problems and dental care seeking behaviors among women who recently delivered a live birth has not been examined. Questions related to oral health practice among women who recently had a live birth were added to the Michigan PRAMS survey in 2004. This issue of MI PRAMS Delivery focuses on findings from these data…

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