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Fallahi H, Fotohi A, Farzadi F, Yunesian M, Almasi F. HIV positive patients and utilization of dental health services. Payesh 2008; 7 (1)
URL: http://payeshjournal.ir/article-1-676-en.html

Objective(s): To determine the level of dental health services utilization by HIV-positive patients.
Methods: In this study we used a proportional random sampling method to select 230 HIV-positive patients from three HIV counseling centers. An anonymous questionnaire was completed for each patient.
Results: The total demand for dental services was 165. The rate of demand was 47.9% and the rate of utilization was estimated 75.9%. Most patients (56%) did not have insurance. Only 60% of these individuals notified the health workers of their HIV status. The most common reason for not demanding services was high cost, and the most common reason of non-utilization was the refusal by health workers to provide services. The main reason for not reporting the HIV-positive status was fear of rejection by the dentist. Conclusion: Inadequate insurance coverage and poverty might result in decreased access to dental health in HIV-positive individuals. In addition there is need to improve knowledge of HIV in dentists and change their attitudes and practices in order to increase utilization of dental services by HIV-positive patients.