Research Projects

MDAP- Miami Dental Access Program

The overall goal of this project is to increase access to oral health care services by HIV-infected patients and to decrease identified barriers. Within this context, we have developed and are evaluating a new and innovative mobile dental program for medically underserved persons living with HIV in the urban setting of Miami-Dade County. This project represents a wonderful collaboration among the Departments of Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Surgery – Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and General Dentistry, Department of Medicine – Division of Infectious Diseases and the Jackson Health Care System/Public Health Trust.   Tremendous support has been received from the community including the Miami-Dade County Ryan White Program, the Miami-Dade County Public Health Department (Office of HIV/AIDS) and the Florida Bureau of HIV/AIDS.

The “Miami Dental Access Program (MDAP)” emphasizes prevention, early intervention, and linkage to comprehensive oral health care for low income persons living with HIV. MDAP visits HIV primary care clinics in Miami-Dade County and offer dental services to patients who are being seen on that day for HIV primary care. Initial dental screenings include x-rays, initial evaluation, cleanings, and linkage to comprehensive oral health care. Patients are then be seen every six months for cleanings and follow-up to ensure that they were linked to comprehensive oral health care. This is a new program and there is currently no mobile dental program for HIV+ patients in Miami-Dade County. An innovative aspect of this program is that patients receive oral health services on the same day that they receive HIV primary care.

MDAP

FUNDING SOURCE

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

Investigators