Background Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to be a major global issue. HIV-infected patients commonly experience oral health problems. This study aimed to assess oral health status of the patients and its related factors in Shiraz, Iran. Methods In this cross-sectional study, by using simple random sampling, 250 HIV-infected patients were selected from Shiraz Voluntary Counseling and Testing Center in 2019. Patients' decayed, missing, and filled tooth (DMFT) index, plaque index (PI), and community periodontal index (CPI) were determined. Associations between patients' characteristics and the above-mentioned indices were examined by using Pearson correlation, one-way ANOVA, chi-square, and independent sample T test. The effect of possible confounding factors was controlled by using multiple linear regression and logistic models. Results Of the 222 participants, 111 (50%) had 15 or more missing teeth and 79 (35.6%) were edentulous. Their mean (SD) DMFT and PI were 20.71 (10.74) and 1.11 (0.79), respectively. About 40% of them had healthy gingiva. DMFT (p < 0.001), PI (p < 0.001), and CPI (p = 0.002) were significantly worse in men than women. The patients' DMFT and edentulous status were significantly associated with their age (both p < 0.001) and duration of disease (p = 0.001 and p = 0.008, respectively). Unemployed patients had the worst DMFT, PI, and CPI (all p < 0.001) and the highest percentage of edentulous individuals (p = 0.003). All examined indices were significantly worse in cigarette smokers, alcoholics, addicts, and patients with a previous history of imprisonment (all p < 0.001). The odds ratio of being edentulous was 5.74 times in addicted patients than in non-addicted ones (p < 0.001). The odds increased 0.11 with every year that the patients' age increased (p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression models also showed that the addicted patients had significantly more scores in DMFT index, PI, and CPI (all p < 0.001). Conclusions Overall, oral health status of the HIV-infected patients was unsatisfactory. Therefore, effective interventional programs are needed for prevention and early treatment of dental problems among this population, especially for more vulnerable groups such as older men with low socioeconomic status, and those with high-risk behaviors.

Background The life expectancy of patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has increased, but its oral manifestations can affect the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) of these patients. This study aimed to evaluate OHRQoL in HIV-infected patients and determine its related factors. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 250 HIV-infected patients were randomly selected from Shiraz Voluntary Counseling and Testing center in 2019. OHRQoL was measured using the revised Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index for HIV patients. The associations between patients’ OHRQoL and demographic characteristics were examined. Results The mean score of the patients' OHRQoL was 24.55 ± 6.27. The lowest and highest scores belonged to the psychosocial and pain categories, respectively. In the univariate analysis, the OHRQoL was significantly associated with patients' age (p = 0.012), duration of the disease (p = 0.009), job (p = 0.006), edentulous status (p = 0.003), and wearing denture (p < 0.001). However, in the multiple linear regression analysis, a significant difference was found only between denture wearing and non-denture wearing patients (p ≤ 0.001). Conclusions The OHRQoL of HIV-infected patients was not optimal since most of the patients were worried about their oral and dental health problems. The OHRQoL was significantly better in denture-wearing patients. This finding highlights the impact of unmet dental needs on OHRQoL in HIV-infected patients. Therefore, dental services coverage for patients with HIV is essential, so that they can have timely access to oral health care. Furthermore, dentures should be considered as an unmet healthcare need among HIV patients in public health policies.

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to be a major global issue. HIV-infected patients commonly experience oral health problems. This study aimed to assess oral health status of the patients and its related factors in Shiraz, Iran.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, by using simple random sampling, 250 HIV-infected patients were selected from Shiraz Voluntary Counseling and Testing Center in 2019. Patients' decayed, missing, and filled tooth (DMFT) index, plaque index (PI), and community periodontal index (CPI) were determined. Associations between patients' characteristics and the above-mentioned indices were examined by using Pearson correlation, one way ANOVA, chi-square, and independent sample T test. Results: Of the 222 participants, 111 (50%) had 15 or more missed teeth and 79 (35.6%) were edentulous. Their mean (SD) DMFT and PI were 20.71 (10.74) and 1.11 (0.79), respectively. About 40% of them had healthy gingiva. DMFT (p<0.001), PI (p<0.001), and CPI (p=0.002) were significantly worse in men than women. The patients' DMFT and edentulous status were significantly associated with their age (both p<0.001) and duration of disease (p=0.001 and p=0.008, respectively). Unemployed patients had the worst DMFT, PI, and CPI (all p<0.001) and the highest percentage of edentulous individuals (p=0.003). All examined indices were significantly worse in cigarette smokers, alcoholics, addicts, and patients with a previous history of imprisonment (all p<0.001).Conclusions: Overall, oral health status of the HIV-infected patients was unsatisfactory, which might indicate their inadequate access to dental services. Therefore, effective interventional programs are needed for prevention and early treatment of dental problems among this population, especially for more vulnerable groups such as older men with low socioeconomic status, and those with high-risk behaviors.