HIV This Week

Rohn EJ, Sankar A, Hoelscher DC, Luborsky M, Parise MH. How do social-psychological concerns impede the delivery of care to people with HIV? Issues for dental education. J Dent Educ 2006;70:1038-42.

Oral health is an essential aspect of the overall medical care for patients with HIV. However, fear of status disclosure is a significant barrier to access to care. Preparing future oral health care providers to maintain all aspects of confidentiality and to understand the role stigma plays in the lives of people living with HIV are critical issues that must be addressed by dental education. Rhon and colleagues provide important perspectives regarding HIV-related stigma and confidentiality by presenting data from a longitudinal qualitative study of adherence to antiretroviral therapy among African Americans and reviewing current literature regarding HIV patient confidentiality and student attitudes regarding HIV. Findings suggest that dental student attitudes may be improved by providing more comprehensive experiences and information and that procedures in place in dental clinics should be continuously monitored to ensure that patient confidentiality is maintained. Strategies for addressing these important issues in dental education are presented. The authors conclude that ensuring that dental school graduates are well prepared to maintain confidentiality with sensitivity to the role stigma plays in HIV disease has the potential to enhance access to health care.