Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common pregnancy-related metabolic disorder associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Recent research has highlighted the potential role of the oral microbiome in the pathophysiology of various systemic conditions, including diabetes mellitus. However, the impact of GDM on the maternal oral microbiome remains relatively understudied. Understanding alterations in the oral microbiome during pregnancy complicated by GDM could provide valuable insights into the mechanistic links between systemic metabolic disorders and oral health. Objective: The objective of this scoping review was to comprehensively examine the existing literature on the relationship between GDM and maternal oral microbiome composition and diversity. The review sought to identify the microbial changes associated with GDM and explore their potential implications for maternal oral health and pregnancy outcomes. Design: Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a systematic search of electronic databases, including “Pubmed” and “Web of Science,” was conducted to identify relevant studies investigating the impact of GDM on the maternal oral microbiome. Eligible studies included those examining microbial diversity, abundance, and composition in pregnant women with GDM and their neonates. Data synthesis involved summarizing key findings and identifying patterns across studies. Results: A total of eight primary studies were identified and included in the scoping review. These studies employed various methodologies, including observational reports, longitudinal analyses, and cohort studies, to investigate the relationship between GDM and the maternal oral microbiome. Findings from these studies revealed distinct alterations in oral microbial profiles among neonates and pregnant women with GDM compared to healthy controls. These alterations encompassed shifts in microbial diversity, abundance, and composition, suggesting potential biomarkers or indicators of GDM status within the oral microbiome. Longitudinal analyses further elucidated dynamic changes in the oral microbiota throughout pregnancy and postpartum, underscoring the temporal nature of these associations. Conclusions: The synthesis of evidence from the scoping review highlights significant associations between GDM and alterations in the maternal oral microbiome. While these findings imply a correlation between GDM and oral microbial changes, causality cannot be directly inferred. Further research is warranted to decipher the underlying mechanisms driving these associations and to explore their potential implications for maternal oral health and pregnancy outcomes. Nonetheless, the insights gleaned from this review underscore the importance of integrating oral health assessments into routine prenatal care protocols for gestational diabetic individuals. By doing so, healthcare providers can enhance risk stratification, early detection, and management of GDM, ultimately improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes.

Nurse Practitioners (NPs) comprise a significant portion of the U.S. primary care workforce and play an essential role in patients' health awareness, prevention strategies, disease management, and in providing appropriate provider referrals. Nurse Practitioners receive education on the oral-systemic connection, yet there have been limited studies on the clinical practice of NPs assessing the oral cavity to evaluate the condition of the teeth and the oral tissues. The purpose of this study was to explore the nurse practitioners’ knowledge and practice habits of assessing the oral cavity for diseases or abnormalities in the mouth that can, in turn, affect overall health. A total of 66 NPs were included in the study, primarily female (91%) with master’s degrees (77%). While knowledge and education were not significantly associated, this research found significant associations between confidence and assessments, less than one-third (30.3%) were confident in their knowledge and ability to evaluate oral abnormalities.