April 27, 2025 - Grameen Communications (GC/GCC) has signed an agreement with St. Luke’sInternational University of Japan on April 27, 2025to support a research project titled “Integration of Oral Health Care into the Maternal and Child Health Continuum of Care”. Okayama University, University of Tokyo, and Kyushu University of Japan are the other research partners involved in this research.  

Periodontal disease during pregnancy increases the risk of preterm birth (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW). However, the majority ofprevious intervention studies have shown that basic periodontal treatment, namely scaling and root planing (SRP), does not adequately prevent PTB and LBW. In contrast, systematic review and meta-analysis papers published in recent years suggested that the combination of SRP and routine oral care with mouthwash containing chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) may reduce the risk of PTB and LBW. This will be one of the first intervention studies to examine the synergistic effects of improving oral health and birth outcomes. 

Grameen Communications will contribute by organizing health camps, training local staff, and providing patient education with the support of Japanese professionals. GC will also oversee field operations and manage data collection. The project will be conducted at Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College Hospital in Dhaka and TMSS Medical College Hospital in Bogura. It aims to provide early treatment for gum disease among pregnant women, thereby reducing health risks for both mothers and their babies. This initiative marks a significant step forward in advancing women’s healthcare in Bangladesh.