Oral health Program Director MI Dept of Health and Human Services
Participants should be aware of the following financial/non-financial relationships: . John Welby, MS: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.. Christine Farrell, RDH, BSDH, MPA: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.. Christine Wood, RDS, BS: Disclosure information not submitted.
Session Description: Dental care is a significant unmet health care need for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH/AIDS). That’s why Maryland and Michigan State Oral Health Programs conducted research to better understand the barriers to care and oral health needs of PLWH/AIDS. Maryland conducted focus groups with dentists, physicians, and PLWH/AIDS to inform its new Referral to Dental Care Program for PLWH/AIDS. Michigan conducted interviews with case managers and dental providers to address patient needs in their Michigan Dental Program, which has provided care for PLWH/AIDS for 20 years. Although these research projects occurred separately and had different goals, they reveal remarkably similar outcomes. In this session, presenters from both states discuss their research findings, challenges, and lessons learned. As they do, they point out shared findings that give rise to decisive action steps that states and providers can use to break down barriers and improve dental care for PLWH/AIDS.
Learning Objectives:
The audience will be able to list barriers and facilitators to dental care for PLWH/AIDS
The audience will be able to identify qualities and attributes that PLWH/AIDS desire in dental providers.
The audience will be able to identify and potentially change behaviors of providers and staff within the dental setting that PLWH/AIDS perceive as unwelcome.
The audience will be able to identify the resources and supports needed for case managers and dental providers to improve dental health for PLWH/AIDS.
The audience will be able to identify ways that medical and dental providers can work together to improve access to dental care for PLWH/AIDS.
