Oral conditions and their social impact among HIV dental patients, 18 years on

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A study undertaken in 1992–1993 identified that HIV-infected dental patients were substantially disadvantaged with regard to the social impact of their oral disease. The oral pain experienced by HIV-positive patients prior to the introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) was attributable to specific features of HIV-related periodontal disease and other oral manifestations of HIV such as candida infections and xerostomia. A repeat of this study in 2009–2010 provided additional information in the post-cART era. METHODS: Data were collected from three sources: the 2009–2010 HIV-positive sample, the National Survey of Adult Oral Health (NSAOH) and the original 1992–1993 study. Collation of data was by clinical and radiographic oral examination. Information about the social impact of oral conditions was obtained from the Oral Health Impact Profile. RESULTS: The caries experience of the 2009–2010 HIV-positive sample was improved with statistical significance for both mean DMFT and mean DT, while the presence of HIV-related periodontal disease still occurs. Statistically significant improvements were achieved for prevalence and severity of oral health related quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: The need for timely access to oral health care with a focus on prevention is essential for HIV-positive individuals whose health is impacted by chronic disease, smoking and salivary hypofunction.