Do regular dental visits affect the oral health care provided to people with HIV?
BACKGROUND: Financial factors related to income and insurance coverage have been found to limit access to, and influence use of, oral health care services by people with human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV. METHODS: The authors determined if visiting a dentist regularly affected the oral health services provided to people with HIV when financial barriers were eliminated as an impediment to access. They analyzed dental claims data for services submitted for payment to the Minnesota Access to Dental Care Program. The analyses focused on comparisons of dental utilization patterns among 273 people classified as regular patients, or RPs, and 222 people classified as nonregular patients, or NRPs. RESULTS: RPs were found to have been provided more diagnostic and preventive care, and less restorative, endodontic, periodontic, removable prosthodontic and oral surgical treatment than were NRPs. Although the mean submitted cost per patient visit was much higher for NRPs, total mean submitted costs per patient for RPs and NRPs were not significantly different. Even though NRPs underwent fewer procedures and had fewer clinic visits than did RPs, the procedures provided to NRPs were more complex and costly. As indicated by differences in the mix of dental care services provided to RPs vs. NRPs, continuity of primary oral health care for RPs led to a better oral health result at no increase in cost over that for NRPs. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings provide substantial evidence regarding the value of regular oral health care for people with HIV. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: This study reinforces the need for dentists to educate and encourage people with HIV to integrate regular oral health care into the ongoing maintenance of their overall health and well-being.