How to Find a Dentist That Specializes in HIV Patients

Though dental care may not seem overly important at times, for HIV patients it can mean the difference between having a stable chronic illness and a terminal one. Infections of the mouth and teeth can lead to severe health problems in individuals with compromised immune systems but despite this, a number of HIV patients do not receive the dental care that they need. Many HIV patients may have difficulty finding a dentist who is comfortable working with an HIV-positive patient, but it is possible to find dentists who actually specialize in working with those who are infected with HIV.

Instructions

• 1

  Consult your doctor or infectious disease specialist and ask her if she has any recommendations of dentists in your area who specialize in dental work on HIV-positive patients. Your doctor may be able to make recommendations based on her own professional experience or may refer you to the dental provider where other patients get their dental work done.

• 2

  Visit a care coordinator at an AIDS service organization in your area if you are unable to secure a recommendation from your doctor. Care coordinators are responsible for assisting HIV and AIDS patients with receiving the medical care that they need, so they should be able to recommend one or several potential dentists who have experience with HIV patients.

• 3

  Call local dentists' offices directly if you wish to locate a dentist on your own. Be upfront with the receptionist when they answer, asking whether the dentist has experience in providing dental care for HIV-positive patients. This can be asked without providing your name if you are concerned about confidentiality; you will only need to reveal your identity if you locate a dentist that you wish to make an appointment with.

• 4

  Make an appointment for a cleaning and preliminary examination when you find a dentist that has experience dealing with HIV-positive patients. When you first meet the dentist or his dental hygienist, remind them of your HIV status so that they will know to take any necessary precautions to prevent exposure in case you suffer from bleeding gums or other potential transmission sources.