Readiness of dentists in providing oral health care for HIV/AIDS patients: Insights from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Abstract

Limited research has been conducted to identify barriers to dentists’readiness in providing oral health care for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) in Southeast Asia and Viet Nam. This study aimed to evaluate the readiness of dentists in providing oral health care for PLWH in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. A total of 414 dentists participated in this cross sectional study, with an average age of 39.17 ± 11.52 years and an average professional experience of 14.10 ± 11.37 years. The online fill-in-the-blank questionnaire with 10 items related to dentists’readiness in providing oral health care services for PLWH was sent to the study participants. Results revealed that 35.75% of dentists were willing to treat HIV/AIDS patients, 41.30% held neutral opinions, and 22.95% were unwilling. The majority of dentists (77.29%) were aware of ART therapy, but only 4.83% perceived themselves as having adequate knowledge of each treatment protocol for HIV/AIDS patients. Additionally, 22.71% had no knowledge of ART therapy. Concerningly, 77.05% believed in the risk of transmission during ART treatment, with varying perceptions of risk: 18.60% high, 16.18% moderate, and 42.27% low. Furthermore, 10.14% perceived almost no risk, and 12.80% were unsure or lacked knowledge. Dentists’opinions about providing oral health care for people living with HIV/AIDS will offer valuable insights for developing strategies tailored to this special community.