From the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Dental Hygiene.

How many of you have received questions from your patients and other health care providers about the importance and safety of treating pregnant patients? We are so pleased to be able to bring you this timely CE supplement on a topic that is of interest to every practicing dental hygienist. Estimates are that over 50% of pregnant women have some form of gingival disease either from gingivitis or periodontitis. Infections in the mother have been identified as increasing the risk for pregnancy complications such as preterm birth and preeclampsia. In addition, pregnancy complications substantially increase the burden to the public by escalating health care costs (estimated at billions of dollars per year), not to mention the emotional trauma to families who experience an adverse pregnancy outcome.