CHENNAI: The Indian Dental Association, Madras branch, will train dental practitioners in early detection of HIV symptoms so as to minimise the risk of infection.

At the end of a two-day workshop on `Oral health care and HIV/AIDS,' jointly organised by the Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society (TANSACS) and the IDA here on Sunday, the participants decided to adopt universally approved infection control measures in their practices and evolve a standard operating protocol.

"The oral environment is the ideal setting for early recognition of HIV infection as the symptoms first occur in the mouth. One or more oral lesions are seen in 60 per cent of HIV cases, and three per cent of HIV patients first report an oral complaint, which leads to HIV being diagnosed," said V. Rangarajan, secretary, IDA Madras branch, and organising secretary for the workshop.

"While much of the work in capacity building and training in HIV/AIDS in India is focussed on health care providers, oral health care providers such as dentists, dental assistants and nursing assistants in dental institutions have been ignored," he said.

Sensitising exercise

The workshop was aimed at training oral health care providers in the essential aspects of dental management and infection control measures with special reference to HIV/AIDS and sensitising the faculty of dental colleges to including relevant aspects of HIV/AIDS in the curriculum.

Participants also resolved to treat HIV/AIDS patients without discrimination. The IDA, Madras branch, along with the TANSACS and the AVNI Health Foundation, will conduct `train the trainers' programmes in various parts of the State to spread HIV-related awareness. Community dental health programmes will be held as part of the project.

The workshop deliberated on epidemiology, the impact of HIV on the individual, the myths about HIV, the modes of transmission, clinical manifestations, counselling, testing and referral services and anti-retroviral therapy.

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