Oral Health Educational Needs Among HIV Health Care Providers in North Texas

Purpose:

Understanding connections between HIV and oral health is vital for providing comprehensive care to people with HIV (PWH). Due to compromised immune function associated with HIV, PWH are more susceptible to oral health disease and infections. In Texas, there is a need for improved access and provision of oral healthcare services for PWH, particularly amongst marginalized populations. The purpose of this study is to identify HIV/AIDS healthcare providers’ (HCPs) and non-clinical providers’ gaps in oral health knowledge and preferred educational strategies and models. Results can inform educational programming for providers, ultimately improving the quality of oral healthcare to PWH in North Texas.

Methods:

A targeted needs assessment (Qualtrics survey) was conducted among a sample of major HIV organizations in North Texas to assess the educational and training needs of their HCPs. The survey, administered in January 2024, featured multiple-choice and open-ended questions. Participants were presented with lists of topics based on existing programming and literature: (i) topics on oral health and HIV, such as oral microbiome and antiretroviral therapy; (ii) key populations, such as pregnant persons; and (iii) preferred learning models, such as workshops, webinars, and case studies. They were asked to select all topics of interest.

Results:

Of the 33 total responses, 8 were excluded due to incomplete surveys. The respondent’s credentials included DMD/DDS (n=4), MD/DO (n=1), PharmD (n=1), RN/NP (n=2), RDH (n=2), LSW/LPC (n=2).

When prompted about general areas of interest within the HIV/AIDS care continuum, there was interest in learning about approaches to reduce patients lost to care, reduce HIV stigma in healthcare settings, and expand pre-exposure prophylaxis in routine oral care. Substance use disorder as it relates to HIV and oral healthcare was reiterated as an educational need.

Specific educational gaps included oral manifestations of HIV (60%), HIV-related oral cancers (56%), and therapeutics such as antiretroviral therapy (48%) and other emerging treatments (48%). Clinical management of oral health conditions and HIV, dental implants and prosthetics, and innovations in diagnostics in the dental setting were other educational needs selected.

Additionally, respondents indicated a need to learn more about specific key populations such as people living with substance use disorders (80%), people living without housing (76%), and transgender and gender diverse communities (64%). Pregnant persons, incarcerated persons, and aging populations were other groups of interest.

Results indicate a significant preference for webinar (68%), seminar (52%), and workshop (44%) learning models. Podcasts (24%) and case studies (20%) were also selected often, but other major telementoring models (ECHO, self-paced learning and adapted community health clubs) did not receive the same preference.

Conclusion:

The results of this survey reveal knowledge gaps and oral healthcare needs among HCPs that should be addressed in order to enhance oral healthcare for PWH in North Texas. While synchronous educational methods like webinars and workshops were favored, HCPs may benefit from additional active learning models (e.g., ECHO) into their continuing education. By developing and implementing education on the identified topics, HCPs can advance efforts to end the HIV epidemic and ensure PWH receive comprehensive care, including addressing their oral health needs.