Access to and satisfaction with oral health care among persons with HIV/Aids in Northeastern Brazil

Abstract

This study investigated, from the perspective of persons with HIV/AIDS (PWHAs), the use of and satisfaction with public oral health services (SUS) in Fortaleza (Northeastern Brazil). Structured questionnaires on socioeconomic profile and public oral health service use and satisfaction were administered to 241 PWHAs attending eight health care centers (SAEs) specialized in HIV/AIDS. The mean age was 37.8 ± 9.6 years, 161 (68.3%) were male, 79 (32.8%) had completed high school, and 59 (24.5%) reported earning ≤1 minimum wage (USD 225). Only 155 (64.3%) had been to the dentist in the preceding 2 years. Of these, 68 (28.2%) attended public services, but nearly half (45.6%) did not complete treatment due to lack of supplies, malfunctioning equipment or ongoing repair of facilities. On average, the service was graded 7.6 ± 2.5, and 50 PWHAs (73.6%) reported being satisfied/very satisfied. As for humanized care, 86.7% were satisfied/very satisfied. Patients referred by SAEs or residing near the facility were significantly more likely to use public services. Despite the limited use of public oral health services, mainly due to insufficient access and ineffective appointment scheduling and referral procedures, the services were mostly graded as satisfactory.