A typology of models for expanding access to oral health care for people living with HIV/AIDS
Rajabiun, Serena; Bachman, Sara S; Fox, Jane E; Tobias, Carol; Bednarsh, Helene
Why this matters
Dental directors and Ryan White programs planning to widen oral health access can use this typology to pick an approach. Drawn from interviews and site visits at AIDS service organizations, community health centers and university-affiliated medical centers, it groups the approaches in use, among them mobile dental units, expanded service availability, training for dental residents and hygienists, linkage to medical providers, transportation support, and case managers and peer navigators.
Abstract
This article describes a typology of program models for expanding access to dental services for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). These programs serve communities with limited access and high unmet need for oral health care, such as rural areas, low-income and racial/ethnic minorities. Interviews and site visits with dental and program directors were conducted at participating sites, including AIDS service organizations, community health centers, and university-affiliated medical centers or hospitals. Despite the differences across organizational structure, similar models and approaches were developed to engage and retain PLWHA in dental care. These approaches included: using mobile dental units; expanding the type and availability of previous dental services provided; providing training opportunities for dental residents and hygienists; establishing linkages with medical providers; providing transportation and other ancillary services; using dental case managers and peer navigators to coordinate care; and patient education. This typology can assist program planners, medical and dental care providers with service delivery strategies for addressing the unmet need for oral health care in their area.