Sir, I wished to share with your readership the story of a female patient who attended as a new patient to myself recently. She presented with generally good oral hygiene and minimal inflammation of the gingival tissues with no pocketing present and no loss of bone height radiographically, leading to a diagnosis of mild gingivitis.

During the course of my consultation she happened to mention that the birth of her daughter, now three years old, had taken place two weeks prematurely on the same day that she had attended an appointment for a 'scale and polish' with the hygienist.

The patient enquired as to whether I thought there could be a link. I answered that there has been a relationship established between periodontal disease and early labour due to inflammatory markers (prostaglandins) in the mother's blood but to date I do not know of any research that maintains a link between routine management of mild gingival conditions and labour induction.

I believe that this would be an important area for further study as if this lady's experience is not unique then, as a profession, we need to consider any potential risk of early labour induction in expectant mothers who receive any form of periodontal therapy in the final trimester of their pregnancy.

1. Bristol