Testing and texting in dental clinics to fight HIV
Official title: Testing and Texting in Community Health Center Dental Clinics to Diagnose and Prevent HIV Infection
Funded at Boston University Medical Campus · NIH-11576506 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aimed at making HIV prevention easier by testing patients in dental offices and exploring the use of a long-acting injectable PrEP in dental settings.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 24, 2023 |
| Project end | September 23, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $349,716 |
| NIH project number | 3UH3DE031249-06S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11576506 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals at risk for HIV who regularly visit dental clinics and are considering or could benefit from PrEP.
✕Less likely to help
People not at risk for HIV or those not visiting dental clinics regularly may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project builds on an existing program that brings HIV testing and referrals into dental clinics. It will test how feasible and acceptable it is to offer a long-acting PrEP option (Lenacapavir) through dental visits, aligning injections with routine dental appointments. The study uses real-world dental workflows and implementation science methods to identify barriers and enablers, and to tailor strategies for integration. Results could show whether dental clinics can play a larger role in preventing HIV for people at risk. Outcomes will inform future efforts to scale HIV prevention beyond traditional medical settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, dental clinics could become convenient access points for HIV prevention, reaching people who may not engage with regular medical care.
How similar studies have gone: Prior HIV prevention work in medical or dental settings has shown feasibility with testing and referrals; this adds a LAI PrEP integration layer, which is newer.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University Medical Campus
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Henshaw, Michelle M — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Henshaw, Michelle M
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.