Perceived dental needs and attitudes toward dental treatments in HIV-infected Thais

Abstract

Despite the advancement in highly active antiretroviral therapy and improved health status of HIV-infected individuals, dental problems are still affecting their life and well-beings. We aimed to establish the prevalence of oral and dental complaints among HIV-infected patients, the prevalence of delayed access to dental service, and factors related with delayed access to dental service. A cross-sectional study using self-report questionnaire completed by the HIV-positive subjects was conducted at the largest HIV research clinic in Thailand during 2009-2010. Of all 299 subjects (28.6% males, 71% females, and 0.4% sex change from male to female: ages ranged from 22 to 59 years [mean 36.7±5.53)]), 84.3% reported of having past or present illnesses or problems related to the dental or oral conditions. The most reported problems were dental hypersensitivity (93.3%), bleeding from the gum (92.1%), and having dental caries (65.9%). Two-hundred and forty-two subjects (80.9%) would not disclose their HIV status when seeing a dentist. The most cited reasons of such behavior were their personal right whether to reveal or not, and being afraid of not receiving dental treatment from the dentists or staffs (51.7 and 40.9%, respectively). It is important to note that HIV-subjects admitted to having fear of being discriminated by the dental staffs even if they trusted their dentists as having high morality. In conclusion, our HIV-subjects had good basic knowledge of oral health with regard to HIV infection, experienced common dental problems, and wished to have accesses to HIV-dental specialist services, if possible.

Oral health status of people living with HIV/AIDS attending a specialized service in Brazil

“…One reason is that not disclosing the HIV status to the dentist who is not a referral service for fear of discrimination and suffering of others knowing their health condition. This preference for specialized services and even far from the places in which they live is also reported in other studies, with reasons related to the stigma of a society living with HIV/AIDS …”

“…This preference for specialized services and even far from the places in which they live is also reported in other studies, with reasons related to the stigma of a society living with HIV/AIDS. 9,36 Many people living with chronic diseases, such as HIV live with preventable and untreated dental problems. The number of decayed and missing teeth and the need for dentures characterizes the sample as a group in great need of dental care.…”

Dental Health Status of HIV-Positive Patients and Related Variables in Southeast Iran

“…Some studies have only mentioned dental caries in this group of people, while other studies similar to this one used the DMFT index to determine patient dental health status (9, 11, 12, 15, 16). The mean value of the DFMT index in this study was 11.9 (D = 8.4, M = 3.4, F = 0.03).…”

Exploring intentions to discriminate against patients living with HIV/AIDS among future healthcare providers in Malaysia

“…Indeed, there is a rich literature on experiences of discrimination in healthcare settings from the perspective of PLWHA in other areas of the world (e.g. Giuliani et al 2005;Rungsiyanont et al 2012). These perceptions of discrimination may have a direct impact on care: PLWHA who perceive discrimination may be less likely to access care, accept that antiretroviral medications are safe and effective, adhere to their medication, and trust their physicians (Earnshaw et al 2013).…”