Rationale
HIV epidemiology suggests that there are a significant number of HIV positive individuals who are unaware of their HIV status, indicating the benefit of more wide spread testing, in new and innovative settings.
Many Canadians do not access primary care physicians for HIV testing because they do not feel “sick” or show any symptoms of illness.
Many Canadians living in urban settings, do not have a regular primary care provider.
Dental offices are an ideal venue for expanded access to testing, as well as the promotion of HIV testing as a core element of routine healthcare.
Dentists, see their patients much more consistently, and do often have long term relationship with their patients.
Approximately 64% of Canadians aged 12 and over visited a dental office in 2005[1]
Approximately 50% of Canadians visit their dentists once or more every six months.
Dental healthcare providers are often the first to recognize oral symptoms consistent with HIV and typically refer patients to other healthcare providers for HIV screening
Current practice does not ensure referred patients have followed through on the recommended HIV test.
The advent of rapid HIV-screening technologies allows individuals to learn their HIV status in minutes, well within the time frame of a routine dental visit.
People are more than twice as likely to receive their results when rapid HIV-testing technologies are used.
