Dental examinations as an untapped opportunity to provide HIV testing for high-risk individuals

Am J Public Health. 2010 Jan;100(1):88-9. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2008.157230.

Abstract

We used data from the 2005 National Health Interview Survey to examine the potential role of dental care in reaching untested individuals at self-reported risk for HIV. An estimated 3.6 million Americans report that they are at significant HIV risk yet have never been HIV tested. Three quarters of these people have seen a dentist within the past 2 years. Dental care offers opportunities to serve at-risk individuals who are otherwise unlikely to be tested or to receive preventive care services.

MeSH terms

  • Dental Care*
  • HIV Infections / diagnosis*
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Mass Screening / methods*
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / statistics & numerical data
  • Risk Factors