This sheet is about exposure to vaccines in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. This information should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare provider.

What are vaccines?

Vaccines help protect you from diseases. Vaccines cause your body’s immune system to make antibodies against bacteria or viruses. Once these antibodies are made, your body has an easier job of stopping you from getting sick if you are exposed to these bacteria or viruses in the future. Most vaccines are given by injection (shot), but some can be taken orally (by mouth) or given with a nasal spray. Vaccines may require multiple doses and periodic boosters to provide the best protection.

What are the different types of vaccines?

A “live” vaccine is made from viruses or bacteria that have been weakened, but not killed. Given the small possibility that a live vaccine might cause the disease itself, live vaccines are not routinely given to women who are pregnant. Some “live” vaccines include the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, live influenza vaccine (nasal flu vaccine), and certain travel vaccines like typhoid fever, and yellow fever.

An “inactivated” vaccine is made from viruses or bacteria that have been killed. An inactivated vaccine cannot cause the disease that it is given to prevent. Many vaccines are in the “inactivated” category including the injected influenza vaccine (flu shot) and the Tdap vaccine.

Other kinds of vaccines, such as messenger RNA (mRNA) and viral vector vaccines, use only certain material from the virus. These vaccines cannot cause the diseases they are given to prevent. Some of the COVID vaccines are in this category.

Are there any vaccines that are recommended in pregnancy?

It is recommended that women who are pregnant receive the seasonal inactivated influenza vaccine (flu shot). Women who are pregnant have a higher chance of developing serious complications from influenza (flu). Getting the seasonal inactivated influenza vaccine (flu shot) is the best way to protect yourself and your baby. You can get the influenza vaccine anytime during your pregnancy. For more information, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheet on the Seasonal Influenza Vaccine (Flu Shot) at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/seasonal-influenza-vaccine-flu-shot-pregnancy/.

The Tdap vaccine, which protects against whooping cough, is also recommended in pregnancy. You can get the Tdap vaccine anytime during pregnancy; but getting it during the third trimester (between weeks 27-36) may help protect your baby from illness after being born. For more information, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheet on the Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis-tdap-vaccine-pregnancy/.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine all recommend that women who are pregnant be vaccinated against COVID-19. Women who are pregnant are at increased risk for severe illness and are more likely to have a preterm delivery (before 37 weeks) if they are infected with COVID-19 during pregnancy. For more information, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheets at https://mothertobaby.org/pregnancy-breastfeeding-exposures/covid-19/.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the Abrysvo^TM RSV vaccine for women who are 32-36 weeks pregnant during RSV season. In most regions of the continental US, RSV season is from September to January. However, the timing and severity of RSV seasons can be different from year to year. For more information, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheets at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-vaccine-abrysvo/.

The need for other vaccines during pregnancy will vary. Talk to your healthcare providers about the potential risks and benefits of any other vaccines you might need.

Are there any vaccines that should be avoided, if possible, in pregnancy?

Live vaccines are usually not given in pregnancy because of the small possibility that the woman who is pregnant or the developing baby could get the disease from the vaccine. However, if there is a high chance of exposure to an infectious agent that might be dangerous in pregnancy, the benefits of getting a live vaccine might outweigh any risks.

If you require a specific vaccine, contact MotherToBaby for more information. You can also refer to recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pregnancy/index.html.

Is it ok for my child to be vaccinated while I am pregnant?

A child’s vaccine does not increase risk to other people around them, including women who are pregnant. In addition, if you have received the recommended vaccines during your lifetime, you are highly protected from becoming infected by others.

Can vaccines make it harder for me to become pregnant?

Limited studies on this question have not shown that vaccines would make it harder to become pregnant.

Do vaccines increase the chance of miscarriage?

Miscarriage can occur in any pregnancy. Many studies have not shown an increased chance of miscarriage.

Do vaccines increase the chance of birth defects?

Every pregnancy starts out with a 3-5% chance of having a baby with a birth defect. This is called the background risk. Studies on vaccines in pregnancy have not shown an increased chance of any pattern of birth defects.

Do vaccines increase the chance of other pregnancy complications?

Studies on vaccines have not shown that they cause pregnancy complications.

Does getting vaccines cause long-term problems in behavior or learning for the baby?

Based on the studies reviewed, vaccination during pregnancy is not expected to cause behavioral or learning issues for the baby.

What about thimerosal in vaccines?

Thimerosal is a preservative. It is found in very small amounts in some vaccines to help stop the growth of harmful bacteria in the vaccine. Large studies have not found thimerosal to cause any harmful effects. Women who are pregnant can receive vaccines containing thimerosal. The CDC answers questions about thimerosal here: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccine-safety/about/thimerosal.html.

Breastfeeding and getting a vaccine:

Studies have shown that most live and inactivated vaccines that are routinely given in the United States and Canada are not harmful during breastfeeding. Smallpox and yellow fever vaccines should not be given to a woman who is breastfeeding unless travel to certain countries is unavoidable and your healthcare provider determines that the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about all your breastfeeding questions. You can also refer to recommendations from the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-special-circumstances/vaccinations-medications-drugs/vaccinations.html.

If a man receives a vaccine, could it affect fertility (ability to get a woman pregnant) or increase the chance of birth defects in a woman’s pregnancy?

There is no evidence to suggest that vaccines affect the sperm or are transmitted to the developing baby through the semen. In general, exposures to fathers or sperm donors are unlikely to increase risks to a pregnancy. For more information, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheet on Paternal Exposures at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/paternal-exposures-pregnancy/.

Please click here for references.  

This sheet is about exposure to abatacept in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. This information is based on available published literature. It should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare provider.

What is abatacept?

Abatacept is a medication that has been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA), juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). It has also been used to treat COVID-19 in some hospitalized patients. It works by lowering the activity of T cells (part of the body’s immune system) to help reduce inflammation or swelling. It can be given through a vein in the arm (infusion) or by a shot under the skin. It is sold under the brand name Orencia®.

To learn more about rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheets at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/rheumatoid-arthritis/ and https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/psoriasis-and-pregnancy/. To learn more about COVID-19, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheet at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/covid-19/.

Sometimes when women find out they are pregnant, they think about changing how they take their medication, or stopping their medication altogether. However, it is important to talk with your healthcare providers before making any changes to how you take your medication. Your healthcare providers can talk with you about the benefits of treating your condition and the risks of untreated illness during pregnancy.

I am taking abatacept, but I would like to stop taking it before becoming pregnant. How long does the drug stay in my body?

People eliminate medications at different rates. In healthy adults, it takes up to 10 weeks, on average, for most of the abatacept to be gone from the body.

I take abatacept. Can it make it harder for me to get pregnant?

Studies have not been done to see if abatacept can make it harder to get pregnant.

Does taking abatacept increase the chance of miscarriage?

Miscarriage is common and can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons. The manufacturer did not find a higher chance of miscarriage among 151 women who used abatacept in pregnancy.

Does taking abatacept increase the chance of birth defects?

Every pregnancy starts out with a 3-5% chance of having a birth defect. This is called the background risk. Animal studies done by the manufacturer did not show an increased chance of birth defects when abatacept was used in pregnancy. Abatacept has not been well studied in human pregnancy. However, published information collected on over 200 pregnancies did not find a pattern of birth defects associated with abatacept use in pregnancy. There is also a case report of a woman with active rheumatoid arthritis who became pregnant while using abatacept, with her last dose just after the fourth week of pregnancy. She delivered a healthy infant that was also reported to be doing well at a 3.5-year follow-up visit. Based on limited information, there is probably not an increased risk for birth defects with abatacept.

Does taking abatacept in pregnancy increase the chance of other pregnancy related problems?

Studies have not been done to see if abatacept increases the chance for pregnancy-related problems such as preterm delivery (birth before week 37) or low birth weight (weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces [2500 grams] at birth).

Does taking abatacept in pregnancy affect future behavior or learning for the child?

Studies have not been done to see if abatacept can cause behavior or learning issues for the child.

Breastfeeding while taking abatacept:

Abatacept has not been well studied for use while breastfeeding. Since it is a large molecule, it is thought to be unlikely to enter the milk in high amounts. Also, abatacept is poorly absorbed from the gut, so it is unlikely that any of the medication the baby swallowed in the breast milk would be absorbed into the baby’s system. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about all of your breastfeeding questions.

If a man takes abatacept, could it affect fertility or increase the chance of birth defects?

Studies have not been done to see if abatacept could affect a man’s fertility (ability to get a woman pregnant). The manufacturer reported on 10 men who were taking abatacept when their partners became pregnant and did not find a greater chance for birth defects. In general, exposures that men have are unlikely to increase risks to a pregnancy. For more information, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheet Paternal Exposures (https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/paternal-exposures-pregnancy/).

MotherToBaby is currently conducting a study looking at abatacept and other medications used to treat autoimmune diseases in pregnancy. If you are interested in taking part in this study, please call 1-877-311-8972 or sign up at https://mothertobaby.org/join-a-study-form/.

Please click here for references.

This sheet is about exposure to sarilumab in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. This information is based on published research studies. It should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare providers. 

What is sarilumab? 

Sarilumab is a medication that has been used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). It has also been used to treat symptoms of severe COVID-19 in hospitalized patients. Sarilumab is a monoclonal antibody (a protein made by the body’s immune system) that binds and blocks interleukin-6 (IL-6), a protein that causes inflammation. A brand name for sarilumab is Kevzara®. For more information about RA and pregnancy, please see our fact sheet at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/rheumatoid-arthritis/. 

Sometimes when women find out they are pregnant, they think about changing how they take their medication, or stopping their medication altogether. However, it is important to talk with your healthcare providers before making any changes to how you take this medication. Your healthcare providers can talk with you about the benefits of treating your condition and the risks of untreated illness during pregnancy. 

I take sarilumab. Can it make it harder for me to get pregnant?  

It is not known if sarilumab can make it harder to get pregnant.   

Does taking sarilumab increase the chance of miscarriage?  

Miscarriage is common and can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons. Studies have not been done in humans to see if taking sarilumab during pregnancy can increase the chance of miscarriage.  

Does taking sarilumab increase the chance of birth defects?  

Birth defects can happen in any pregnancy for different reasons. Out of all babies born each year, about 3 out of 100 (3%) will have a birth defect. We look at research studies to try to understand if an exposure, like sarilumab, might increase the chance of birth defects in a pregnancy. 

Studies have not been done to see if sarilumab increases the chance for birth defects above the background risk. There is a report of one woman using sarilumab during pregnancy and no birth defects were detected in the child. It is reassuring that sarilumab is not expected to cross the placenta and reach the pregnancy in large amounts during the first trimester, which is the time when a birth defect is most likely to happen.  

Does taking sarilumab in pregnancy increase the chance of other pregnancy-related problems? 

It is not known if sarilumab can increase the chance of pregnancy-related problems such as preterm delivery (birth before week 37 of pregnancy) or low birth weight (weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces [about 2,500 grams] at birth). A small study that included one pregnancy exposed to sarilumab during treatment for COVID-19 suggested a higher risk of preterm delivery. However, COVID-19 is itself associated with preterm delivery, making it hard to know whether the observed risk was due to the infection or sarilumab exposure. 

Does taking sarilumab in pregnancy affect future behavior or learning for the child?  

Studies have not been done to see if sarilumab can increase the chance of behavior or learning issues for the child. There is a report of one woman using sarilumab during pregnancy and no problems were noted in the child at 6 months of age.  

Can my baby receive vaccines before one year of age if I take sarilumab later in pregnancy? 

Since sarilumab might suppress the immune system of the person taking it, there is a theoretical (not proven) concern that the same thing could happen to the baby if they are exposed during pregnancy. If a person has a weakened immune system, they may be more likely to develop an infection from a live vaccine. Live vaccines contain a small amount of live virus. Inactivated vaccines do not contain live virus, so they cannot cause the disease they protect against. In the United States, rotavirus is the only live vaccine routinely given in the first year of life. Most people can get inactivated vaccines in the first year of life.  

Talk with your child’s healthcare provider about your exposure to sarilumab during pregnancy. They can talk with you about the vaccines your child should receive and the best time for your child to receive them. 

Breastfeeding while taking sarilumab: 

There is very little information on the use of sarilumab during breastfeeding. Because sarilumab is a large protein, only small amounts are expected to pass into breast milk. In one study, a small amount of sarilumab was detected in breast milk. Any medication that enters the milk is likely to be broken down in the baby’s stomach and only minimally absorbed. Preterm infants and babies younger than 1 month of age may absorb more of the medication than older infants. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about all your breastfeeding questions.  

If a man takes sarilumab, could it affect fertility or increase the chance of birth defects? 

Studies have not been done to see if sarilumab can affect male fertility (ability to make healthy sperm) or increase the chance of birth defects. In general, exposures that fathers or sperm donors have are less likely to increase risks to a pregnancy. For more information, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheet, Paternal Exposures, at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/paternal-exposures-pregnancy/.  

Please click here for references.  

This sheet is about exposure to tocilizumab in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. This information is based on published research studies. It should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare provider. 

What is tocilizumab? 

Tocilizumab is a prescription medication that has been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA), giant cell arteritis in adults, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in children. It has also been used to treat symptoms of severe COVID-19 in hospitalized patients. The brand name for tocilizumab is Actemra®.  

MotherToBaby has a fact sheet on rheumatoid arthritis here: https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/rheumatoid-arthritis/.  

Sometimes when women find out they are pregnant, they think about changing how they take their medication, or stopping their medication altogether. However, it is important to talk with your healthcare providers before making any changes to how you take your medication. Your healthcare providers can talk with you about the benefits of treating your condition and the risks of untreated illness during pregnancy. 

I take tocilizumab. Can it make it harder for me to get pregnant?  

It is not known if tocilizumab can make it harder to get pregnant. 

Does taking tocilizumab increase the chance of miscarriage?  

Miscarriage is common and can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons. It is not known if taking tocilizumab can increase the chance of miscarriage. Some studies have suggested that taking tocilizumab might increase the chance of miscarriage, while other studies have not. In the studies that reported an increased chance of miscarriage, other factors that are known to increase the chance of miscarriage such as age, use of multiple medications, and symptoms of the health condition being treated were reported as well. Because miscarriage can happen for many reasons, it is hard to know whether a medication, the condition being treated, or other factors such as age or health are the cause.  

Does taking tocilizumab increase the chance of birth defects?  

Birth defects can happen in any pregnancy for different reasons. Out of all babies born each year, about 3 out of 100 (3%) will have a birth defect. We look at research studies to try to understand if an exposure, like tocilizumab, might increase the chance of birth defects in a pregnancy. 

Tocilizumab use during pregnancy is not expected to increase the chance of birth defects. Tocilizumab is not expected to cross the placenta and reach the pregnancy in large amounts during the first trimester, which is the time when a birth defect is most likely to happen. For more information on periods of development, see the MotherToBaby fact sheet on critical periods of development here: https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/critical-periods-development/.  

Does taking tocilizumab in pregnancy increase the chance of other pregnancy related problems? 

Tocilizumab might cross the placenta in higher amounts in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Some studies have shown an increased chance of pregnancy complications including preterm delivery (birth before week 37) and low birth weight (weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces [2500 grams] at birth) when tocilizumab is used throughout pregnancy to treat conditions such as RA. However, since poorly controlled RA can also increase the chance for preterm delivery, low birth weight, babies born smaller than expected, and other pregnancy complications, it is not known if these findings are due to tocilizumab or to the medical condition being treated.  

Published reports of tocilizumab use to treat severe COVID-19 during the second or third trimesters of pregnancy have not identified an increased chance of pregnancy problems or problems for newborns related to the medication. The pregnancy-related problems reported in these cases, such as preterm delivery, c-section, or admission to the neonatal intensive care nursery (NICU) were believed to be because of the severe COVID-19 infection or other underlying medical conditions or complications.  

Does taking tocilizumab in pregnancy affect future behavior or learning for the child?  

There have been limited studies done to see if tocilizumab can increase the chance of behavior or learning issues for the child. In a study that looked at infants who were exposed to tocilizumab for a short time during the second or third trimesters of the pregnancy, there were no reported changes in their development up to 6 months or 1 year of age.  

Can my child receive live vaccines if I take tocilizumab during pregnancy? 

Since tocilizumab might suppress the immune system of adults taking it, there is a theoretical (not proven) concern that the same thing could happen to the baby if they are exposed during pregnancy. If someone has a weakened immune system, they might be more likely to develop an infection from a live vaccine.  

Live vaccines contain a small amount of live virus. In the United States, rotavirus is the only live vaccine routinely given in the first year of life. Most babies can get inactivated vaccines in the first year of life. Inactivated vaccines do not contain live virus, so they cannot cause the disease they protect against. Talk to your child’s healthcare provider about your exposure to tocilizumab during pregnancy. They can talk with you about the vaccines your child should receive and the best time for your child to receive them. 

Breastfeeding while taking tocilizumab: 

Tocilizumab passes into breast milk in small amounts, but it is expected to be destroyed in a breastfed child’s stomach before it can be absorbed into the child’s body. No adverse effects have been reported in infants exposed to tocilizumab through breast milk. Experts consider tocilizumab acceptable for use in breastfeeding. If you suspect the baby has any symptoms, contact the child’s healthcare provider. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about all your breastfeeding questions.  

If a man takes tocilizumab, could it affect his fertility or increase the chance of birth defects? 

Limited studies have been done to see if tocilizumab could affect male fertility (ability to make healthy sperm). There was no increase in birth defects in a report that included 8 infants born to males who used tocilizumab. In general, exposures that men have are unlikely to increase risks to a pregnancy. For more information, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheet Paternal Exposures at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/paternal-exposures-pregnancy/.  

Please click here for references.  

This sheet is about exposures for a dentist, dental assistant, or dental hygienist in a dental office setting. It also suggests some resources available to help create a safe work environment. This information should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare providers and occupational safety officers.   

What types of hazards might be at my workplace? 

Some of the potential workplace hazards that dental workers might face include:  

• Infectious diseases / bloodborne pathogens  
• Laser/electrosurgery plumes 
• Heavy metals (mercury) 
• Nitrous oxide (waste anesthetic gases)  
• Ionizing radiation (x-rays) 
• Accidents (needle sticks, bites) 
• Allergic reactions 
• Physical strain 
• Stress 
• Chemicals (cleaning / disinfecting, dental sealants & tooth filling materials 

MotherToBaby has fact sheets on some of these topics at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/.  

Although you may work around a potential hazard, it does not mean that you are exposed to levels that would cause a problem. There are safety measures that workers can take to limit exposures. 

Pregnancy information for all workers: 

Miscarriage is common and can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons. Birth defects can also happen in any pregnancy for different reasons. Out of all babies born each year, about 3 out of 100 (3%) will have a birth defect. We look at research studies to try to understand if an exposure can cause birth defects. If something can cause birth defects, it is most likely to do so during the first 13 weeks of pregnancy (1st trimester). How much you are exposed to (dose) also matters when looking at workplace risks. For more information on how a fetus develops during pregnancy, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheet on critical periods of development at: https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/critical-periods-development/. 

I work around nitrous oxide. Can this harm my pregnancy or my breastfeeding child? 

If nitrous oxide is used properly, including the use of scavenging equipment and correct technique, then it is unlikely to increase the chance of miscarriage or birth defects. Also, nitrous oxide is not expected to get into breastmilk. Air monitoring can be done to evaluate staff exposure if there is a concern about air levels in the office. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has a document (https://www.osha.gov/waste-anesthetic-gases/workplace-exposures-guidelines) with detailed information on workplace controls and recommended exposure limits for nitrous oxide. The American Dental Association (ADA) has a web page on working with nitrous oxide when pregnant https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/nitrous-oxide.  

I am around our x-ray machine. Does this mean that I am exposed to radiation? 

Properly maintained x-ray equipment that is used with proper technique does not expose dental personnel to x-rays. Also, the amount of radiation used in modern digital x-rays is lower than with older film-based x-ray equipment. Please see our MotherToBaby fact sheet on working around ionizing radiation for information on working with x-ray machines at: https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/ionizing-radiation-workplace-pregnancy/.  

If I am pregnant or breastfeeding, are there extra steps that I should take to prevent exposure to infectious diseases while working in a dental office? 

Workers who are pregnant or breastfeeding should follow the same standard precautions established for all workers to prevent exposure to pathogens that can be spread by blood, saliva, or other body fluids. These precautions include proper hand washing and the use of protective equipment like gloves, face masks, and eye protection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a document with guidelines for infection control in dental health care settings at https://www.cdc.gov/dental-infection-control/hcp/summary/index.html. 

Make sure you are up to date on all recommended immunizations. Healthcare providers are considered at high risk for getting or spreading hepatitis B, Covid-19, influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis (whooping cough), and varicella (chickenpox). Discuss your personal health history with your healthcare provider to see if there are other vaccine recommendations. MotherToBaby has fact sheets on some of these topics at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/.  

Are there concerns with exposure to mercury for dental workers? 

Dental amalgam is a mixture of metals, consisting of elemental mercury (liquid mercury) and a powdered alloy composed of silver, tin, and/or copper. This mixture makes a strong, stable filling. Studies have not shown that this type of mercury exposure increases the chance of birth defects or other issues in children of dentists or their assistants.  

Mercury can be used safely at work if proper precautions are followed. Because mercury vapor can be absorbed through the lungs and skin, everyone in the office should always use correct safety procedures when handling and disposing of dental amalgams. It is important to check with a safety officer or industrial hygienist to make sure you are using the right protective gear, and that safety systems like suction, air filters, and mercury traps are working. Studies show that workers in offices with poor safety practices have higher mercury levels in their blood. If you are worried about mercury exposure, talk with your healthcare providers about the possibility of having testing done to estimate your exposure levels.  

What could be in the smoke that comes from drilling or using lasers? 

Smoke plumes could contain fine particles of dust and gases. These are not well studied and there is a lack of standards and precise safety guidelines for this issue. Workers exposed to smoke plumes have reported irritation of the eye, nose and throat, and headache.  

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) recommends that there be administrative controls for laser use, including a laser safety officer (LSO). If your workplace LSO has identified specific exposures from laser use in your dental practice, or other exposures from drilling smoke have been identified and you feel that proper workplace protection was not working, contact MotherToBaby to learn more about your specific exposure. 

How can I learn more about the chemicals with which I work? 

Dental workers can learn about chemicals used at the worksite by looking at the product Safety Data Sheet (SDS). If you have questions or concerns about chemicals used at your worksite, contact a MotherToBaby specialist. 

How do I reduce job-related exposures as a dentist, dental assistant, or dental hygienist? 

Your work site should provide proper personal protection for all parts of your job. Be certain to use them correctly, even when not pregnant. Check to make sure that you are using the correct type of gloves and other personal protective equipment. Make sure the ventilation / air exchange in your workspace is working properly. Your work safety officer, LSO, and/or an industrial hygienist can help make sure your worksite has the correct protections in place.  

One of the most important steps you can take is to practice proper hand washing. Wash hands before and after each patient and after contact with any bodily substance or articles contaminated by them. Wash hands before eating or drinking; after cleaning equipment and rooms; after handling chemicals; and whenever hands are visibly soiled. 

MotherToBaby has a fact sheet on working during pregnancy and breastfeeding with general tips and resources available to help reduce potential chemical exposures (https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/reproductive-hazards-workplace/). 

If a man works in a dental office, can it affect his fertility or increase the chance of birth defects?   

This has not been well studied. Available data does not suggest a significant link with reduced fertility (ability to make healthy sperm) or increased risk of birth defects in a partner’s pregnancy. In general, exposures that men have are unlikely to increase risks to a pregnancy. For more information, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheet Paternal Exposures at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/paternal-exposures-pregnancy/.  

Who can I contact for more information?  

If you have specific concerns regarding your work site, discuss them with your healthcare providers or contact MotherToBaby with your specific exposures. In addition, talk with your employer about the option to hire an industrial hygienist (https://www.aiha.org/consultants-directory) or arrange for a Health Hazard Evaluation through the CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) (https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/default.html) to have your work site evaluated for ways to keep all workers there as safe as possible.  

Please click here for references.