Program Goal

The overall goal of the program is to train dental practitioners to recognize the early oral signs and symptoms of HIV infection and to manage all aspects of their patients’ oral health needs. Furthermore, the course will increase practitioner competence in providing quality care to HIV+ patients.

Clinical Training

A clinical training program in HIV infection is available for all members of the team, including dentists dental assistants, and dental hygienists. Flexible options for program length and scheduling are available, depending on the needs of the practitioner or Dental Clinic.

• One day course
• Training can be provided at your dental clinic or at USC School of Dentistry

Consultation Training

In addition to regular clinical training courses, special consultation and training may be arranged at your dental clinic. During a "site visit" Pacific AETC dental faculty will provide on-site training at your dental clinic to provide updates on dental HIV care for the HIV infected patient. Faculty will also be available to review dental procedures, including infection control and avoiding cross contamination, review records and charts of HIV + patients, and provide other consultation as requested.

Ann Lyles, DDS,
with dentists in the dental clinical training program
at USC School of Dentistry.

Objectives of Dental Clinical Training

At the completion of training, participants will be able to:

• Adopt practices that will maintain the highest quality of infection control in the dental setting
• Provide appropriate initial evaluation of the HIV+ patient
• Counsel patients regarding maintaining their own health
• Recognize and treat common oral complications of HIV infection
• Recognize oral signs and symptoms of advanced HIV disease, and treat or refer as appropriate
• Implement appropriate office policies related to the care of the HIV+ patient
• Serve as a resource to their staff and other practitioners in the care of the HIV+ patient.

Dentists participating in the clinical training program held at
USC School of Dentistry.

Dental Training Topics and Activities

The clinical rotations of the course provide the treatment team with hands-on experience in caring for the HIV + patient. A special feature of the course enables dentists to work with dental assistants from their offices, thus providing the opportunity to develop teams skills.

The course also includes seminars on diagnosis and management of systemic manifestations, infection control, sterilization techniques, and HIV risk assessment. All training occurs in small groups. In addition to seeing patients with a preceptor in the dental clinic, presentations and seminars are also held on the following topics:

• Medical Overview/ Update on HIV
• Clinical Orientation to Infection Control
• Seminar on Infection Control
• Physical Evaluation and Treatment Modifications
• Patient Records
• Web Resources for HIV Information
• HIV Risk Assessment and Patient Counseling
• Oral Manifestations of HIV
• HIV Anti-Discrimination Law

Credit

• The University of Southern California School of Dentistry is approved by the California State Board of Dental Examiners to sponsor this continuing education program for dentists and dental hygienists.
• Hours of 28 Category I credit hours will be based on actual hours of clinical training or consultation experience.
• A certificate suitable for framing will be issued.

Cost

The majority of the cost for this intensive clinical training is covered by a federally funded grant from the Health Resources and Human Services Administration.

Tuition for a one-day course:

Dentist - $150
Dental hygienist - $100
Dental assistant or staff member - $50 each

For additional information and application:

Training days are completed in one month’s time. Some rotations are required and others are optional. Application requirements include:

• completed application
• copy of state license
• curriculum vitae
• proof of malpractice coverage

Early application is highly recommended.

For more information or to schedule a training, please contact:

Carolyn Bedoian
Program Manager

Bedoian