AIDS/HIV Disease - Oral Health Care Considerations

• Base changes to dental care on the patient’s overall medical status, not the HIV status.
• Baseline neutrophil and platelet counts are important to assess patient’s risk for bacterial infections or bleeding.
• If required by state law, obtain consent to share HIV-related information with the patient’s other health care professionals.
• Use antibiotic prophylaxis when the absolute neutrophil count drops below 500-1,000 cells/mm³.
• Antibiotic prophylaxis is not indicated based on the CD4 cell count or HIV viral load.
• Address comorbidities, such as liver disease, heart conditions, hyperglycemia, and nutritional disadvantage.
• Address side-effects associated with anti-retroviral therapy.
• Examine the head and neck region, and oral cavity for pathologies. (See the Image Gallery)

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Medical Complexity Status - AIDS/HIV

AIDS/HIV	MCS1C	MCS2C
Anticipated complication	Controlled/ stable	Uncontrolled/ unstable
Hemostasis	None	None
Microbial  susceptibility	None	Minor
Drugs/ drug  interactions	Minor	Minor
Stress/trauma	None	Minor

See Medical Complexity Status for more information.

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Related Pages

• Medical Disorders
  • AIDS / HIV Disease
• Medications
  • Anti-Retroviral Medications
• Laboratory Values
  • CD4 Cell Count
  • HIV Viral Load
• Guidelines
  • Antibiotic Prophylaxis