WW7 Hyderabad Declaration 2014

Background

At the 7th World Workshop on Oral Health & Disease in AIDS, participants considered the effects of HIV on the mouth and the challenges it places on oral and general health care and accepted that: people with HIV are doubly disadvantaged with respect to oral health; first, because oral disease is a cause of considerable morbidity in people with HIV, and second, because the infection acts as a barrier to all aspects of health care.

Oral health services play an essential role in promoting and maintaining the general and oral health of people with HIV. However, the Workshop was concerned about shortfalls in the provision of oral health care to this population group and calls for it to be enhanced, in accordance with the following principles.

Principles and goals

• Oral health care for people with HIV should:
• Be made universally and equitably accessible;
• Be free from prejudice or discrimination;
• Be based on evidence-based, socially acceptable methods and appropriate technology;
• Be efficient and affordable at a cost that the country, community and individuals can afford;
• Be designed – and where necessary re-oriented – to focus on its capacity to deliver health benefit;
• Engage the full participation of the individuals and communities it serves in a spirit of empowerment and accountability.

Actions and responsibilities

These goals lay responsibilities on oral healthcare workers to ensure the appropriateness of care and act as advocates for the oral health of people with HIV. In common with all healthcare workers, they are responsible for ensuring prevention of HIV infection in the population at large.

In view of the shared determinants and common risk factors between HIV and other diseases, both infectious and non-communicable, it is imperative that oral healthcare workers work in partnership with colleagues in other disciplines. All healthcare professionals must be made aware of the contribution that can be made by those who work in oral health.

Dental professionals have a responsibility to identify and address gaps in knowledge and ensure the dissemination and implementation of effective interventions to improve health and health care.

Dental organizations, regulators and Governments have additional responsibilities to demonstrate leadership and advocacy for the oral health of all individuals and populations by recognizing inequalities and taking appropriate action.

Authors

SJ Challacombe^1,2, AR Tappuni^1,3, K Ranganathan^1,4, PG Robinson⁵, DM Williams³, NW Johnson⁶

1. Co-Chairpersons of 7th World Workshop on Oral Health & Disease in AIDS;
2. King’s College London, UK;
3. Queen Mary University of London, UK;
4. Ragas Dental College, Chennai, India;
5. University of Sheffield, UK;
6. Griffith University, Australia