- Primary health care providers should make an initial dental referral for every patient under their care. Oral health care providers should examine all patients on a semiannual basis for dental prophylaxis and other appropriate preventive care.
- The primary health care provider should examine visually and through palpation the patient’s lips, labial and buccal mucosa, all surfaces of the tongue and palate, and the floor of the mouth. The gingiva should be examined for signs of erythema, ulceration, or recession.
- Patients presenting with oral mucosal, gingival, or dental lesions should be referred promptly to an oral health care provider for appropriate diagnostic evaluation and treatment.
- Health care providers should instruct patients in preventive oral health care, including dental visits, brushing, flossing, and the use of fluorides and antimicrobial rinses.
- In the later stages of HIV disease, greater numbers of oral lesions and aggressive periodontal breakdown are more likely; therefore, oral health care visits should be scheduled more frequently.
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AIDS INSTITUTE See Our Statement on Inclusive Care
