Oral

Oral health care is an essential yet often unmet need for underserved and underinsured populations in the US. This is a social justice issue that requires national attention from not only policy makers, but oral health providers, public health workers and the general public. This unmet need is extensive in the HIV population and has been widely documented. This session will provide information about how social justice can be promoted by increasing access to oral health care for persons living with HIV and share the results from the multisite evaluation identifying the structural and personal barriers to oral health care that lead to poor dental care utilization, lower literacy about oral hygiene and health, and higher unmet needs. Strategies will be presented for promoting greater access that can reduce the disparity within this population.

Session Objectives: Describe oral health disparities among people living with HIV. Identify oral health beliefs, attitudes and practices associated with access to dental care for people living with HIV. Discuss factors contributing to improving oral health outcomes for people living with HIV.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)