Bringing the mountain to Mohammed: a mobile dental team serves a community-based program for people with HIV/AIDS.
In spite of the direct referral system and family-centered model of primary oral health care linking medical and dental care providers, most HIV-positive patients at the Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center received only emergency and episodic dental care between 1993 and 1998. To improve access to dental care for HIV/AIDS patients, a mobile program, called WE CARE, was developed and colocated in community-based organizations serving HIV-infected people. WE CARE provided preventive, early intervention, and comprehensive oral health services to minorities, low-income women and children, homeless youths, gays and lesbians, transgender individuals, and victims of past abuse. More efforts to colocate dental services with HIV/AIDS care at community-based organizations are urgently needed.
Zabos
G P
GP
Mailman School of Public Health, Division of Community Health, Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery, New York, NY, USA. gpz1@columbia.edu
Trinh
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C
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000523:psychology; D003149:Community Dentistry / Q000458:organization & administration*; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D017742:Dental Care for Chronically Ill / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003812:Dentist-Patient Relations; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008952:Mobile Health Units / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009519:New York City; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011204:Poverty Areas