Unmet oral health and smoking cessation needs among persons in home care living with HIV/AIDS

The oral health care needs among people living with HIV/AIDS are higher than the general population, yet roughly two thirds (58-64%) do not receive routine oral health care. Home-bound individuals receiving HIV home care services may demonstrate greater need for oral health care due to their typically more advanced stage of disease, and barriers to access. Additionally, smoking prevalence among people living with HIV/AIDS is two to three times higher than the general population and may lead to greater oral health disease. This study explores the need for oral health and smoking cessation services in a random sample of 70 HIV/AIDS patients receiving home care services in four boroughs of New York City. A telephone survey was conducted to assess their oral health symptoms, access to care, and smoking status (response rate 71%). Around 50% of the participants reported experiencing some, occasional, or frequent pain or discomfort related to their teeth, dentures or mouth. Around a third reported difficultly eating or changing their diet because of these problems. However, 46% had not seen a dental care provider in the last 6 months, 43% were current smokers and, although 82% reported trying to quit smoking, only 27% had joined a smoking cessation program. The home health care setting offers an important opportunity for oral health and smoking cessation assessment and intervention in this high-risk population. Innovative inter-professional models of home health care with nurses and dental providers could address this unmet need.