The Dental Health Of Pregnant Women Plays An Important Role In Preventing Stunting In North Lombok

Drg. Safira Khairina, M.Kes provided socialization regarding the importance of pregnant women checking their teeth condition during a community service visit in Senaru Village, North Lombok on 16-20 July 2025. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The problem of stunting in North Lombok is not only caused by malnutrition or poor sanitation, but is also influenced by factors that are often neglected, the health of teeth and mouths of pregnant women.

Lack of awareness of the importance of dental care during pregnancy, coupled with limited access to dental health services, contributing to the increasing number of cases of Low Born Weight (BBLR) and stunting in this region.

Pediatrician drg. Safira Khairina, M.Kes highlighted the low attention of pregnant women to oral hygiene and the lack of visits to dentists has also worsened the child's health condition since pregnancy.

The journey to maintain healthy teeth actually begins when the fetus is in the womb. Therefore, it is very important for pregnant women to regularly check their teeth. We hope that health cadres can become a bridge of information that educates the public to reduce stunting and BBLR rates," said Safira as quoted by ANTARA.

This was conveyed by him after carrying out social service activities in Senaru Village, North Lombok, with the non-profit organization Kembara Nusa.

The activity, which took place on July 16'20, 2025, provided free dental examination and treatment services to more than 450 residents, ranging from revocation and dental filling, to child and adult dental care.

This social service also involves more than 30 volunteers from various regions such as Jakarta, Riau, Lampung, Bali, Bandung, and Mataram, both medical and non-medical.

From the results of the examination, it was found that some pregnant women had serious verbal health problems, including chronic inflammation periodontitis in dental support networks that could have a bad impact on pregnancy.

"Conditions like this can increase the risk of premature birth and babies with low weight," explained Safira. He added that babies born with BBLR or stunting also have the risk of experiencing tooth growth disorders such as thin dental email, delays in dental eruptions, to early caries. This problem can ultimately disrupt the child's nutritional intake.

The findings are also in line with data from the North Lombok District Health Office which states that BBLR is the highest neonatal complication in the region. In 2022, almost half of BBLR cases experienced complications, with Bayan District recording the highest figure of 63.2 percent.

Meanwhile, stunting prevalence in North Lombok in 2024 reached 14.69 percent, although it has shown a downward trend thanks to various intervention efforts.