Results of a dental patient satisfaction survey of people living with HIV/AIDS receiving dental case management

Accessibility and affordability of dental care affects the oral health of many individuals. For those living with HIV/AIDS lack of or inadequate oral health care can be life threatening. Harbor Health Services, Inc. designed a dental care model utilizing dental case managers to increase accessibility and affordability of dental services for people living with HIV/AIDS on Cape Cod. After 1 year of the project, patients living with HIV/AIDS who had received dental services at Mid-Upper Cape Community Health Center in the previous 2 years were eligible to participate in an anonymous Dental Satisfaction Survey (N=160). Response rate was 54.2%. Respondents were: 80% male; 80% self reported their race as White; 45% were between 45 and 54 years of age. Patients reported that they heard about the clinic from local agencies (61%) and/or from their doctor or nurse (37%). Overall, respondents were satisfied with the dental care they had received. When patients were asked how their dental case manager had helped them, several themes were identified including: assisting with access to dental care such as booking appointments and coordinating care, needs assessment, and providing comfort. Patients that reported having experienced a delay were significantly more likely to report lower Total Satisfaction (p < .001). From the findings of this survey, the benefits of utilizing a dental case manager include not only improving access and coordination of care, but also expanding community outreach and assisting patients in feeling comfortable. Patients valued having an individual identified as their connection to the dental clinic.