Seminar - 90 Minutes

Oral Health Engagement: How Partnerships, Access and Education Improve Retention and Viral Suppression in Persons Living with HIV/AIDS

Presenter(s)

• 

  David Reznik, DDS

  Chief Dental Medicine
  HIV Dental Alliance
• HB

  Helene Bednarsh, BS, RDH, MPH

  Director Ryan White Dental Program
  AAPHD

In many parts of the United States there have been a marked decrease in new HIV infections. However, major metropolitan areas and the Southeast United States are still experiencing record rates of new HIV infections. Men having sex with men (MSM) and African-Americans/Black and Hispanics remain disproportionally affected by HIV. The positive news is that new HIV drugs produce less pill burden, are more effective, and produce less side effects. Despite the tremendous gains, retention in care and viral load suppression continue to be major challenges. This session focuses on two unique programs that use oral health engagement to improve retention and viral load suppression. Program methods include medical/dental integration within a one-stop multidisciplinary care facility with all core services under one roof.

 

Learning Objectives:

• Gain a greater understanding of how medical/dental integration can lead to improved retention in care and viral suppression.
• Describe the impact that a hospital-based residency program and a local community-based program have had on the HIV community and their oral health care.
• Identify the importance and components of health professional and patient educational programs in improving HIV health outcomes.