Population considerations
- Increased risk of oral infection. Individuals with HIV/AIDS are at an increased risk for oral infections and disease. Pain caused by infection can lead to difficulty in eating or drinking. As a result, dehydration and malnutrition can set in and cause dramatic weight loss (Ogunbodede, 2005).
- Attitudes of oral health providers. Providers may have negative attitudes about treating individuals with HIV/AIDS (Lueveswanij, 2000).
Strategies to address these considerations
- Provide education. Individuals with HIV/AIDS should be educated about the importance of oral health and the increased risk for complications.
- Increase provider competence. It is important to enhance providers’ abilities to work with individuals with HIV/AIDS. This may include specific skills training as well as providing information about transmission of the disease.