Caries status and opinions of people living with HIV/AIDS on oral health care providers' desired behaviour

Abstract

Aim
The aim of this study was to investigate the dental caries status and opinions of the People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) on how they should be handled by oral health care providers. Design: A cross sectional study.

Study subjects and Methods
The study was carried out among PLHA in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Data was collected using a face to face interview utilizing a structured questionnaire which inquired on participants' views on how they should be handled by oral health care providers. An intra oral examination to assess dental caries status was done according to WHO recommendation.

Results
The response rate was 43.9%. Majority of the participants suggested that dental professionals should have empathy to PLHA (95%), should avoid stigmatization of PLHA (94%) and should observe sterile procedures to control cross infection. The mean decayed component was 2.45, mean missing 3.63, mean filled 0.25 and the mean decayed missing and filled teeth (DMFT) 6.34. Only 8.9% of the participants were caries free, 15.8% had one decayed tooth, 13.9% had one missing tooth, 5.9% had one filled tooth and 10.9% had one DMFT. The most affected teeth were third molars, observed on the upper right jaw of 42.5% of the participants and on the lower left jaw of 56.4%. Extensive destruction of the tooth structure was frequently observed.

Conclusion
We conclude that the study group of PLHA has a higher caries experience than the general Tanzanian population, requires dental professionals to observe social requirements and to offer them professional services.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, PLHA, Dental caries, Dental services

Tanzania Dental Journal Vol. 13(2) November 2006: 56-63