Using dental clinics to test and prevent HIV infection
Testing and Texting in Community Health Center Dental Clinics to Diagnose and Prevent HIV Infection
This study is looking at how dental clinics can help people at risk for HIV by offering quick tests right at their appointments and sending helpful text messages, so they can get the support they need more easily.
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 ID | NIH-10934377 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how dental clinics can play a crucial role in diagnosing and preventing HIV infection by incorporating on-site rapid HIV testing and a text message intervention for at-risk patients. The study will gather insights from patients and dental providers to understand the barriers and facilitators of integrating these services into dental visits. By conducting a cluster randomized trial in community health center dental clinics, the research aims to compare the effectiveness of on-site testing versus traditional referral methods for HIV testing. The goal is to enhance access to HIV prevention services and ultimately reduce the incidence of HIV infection in high-risk populations.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 21 and older who visit community health center dental clinics and are at high risk for HIV infection.
Not a fit: Patients who are not at risk for HIV infection or those who do not visit the participating dental clinics may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly increase HIV testing rates and improve access to prevention services for at-risk individuals.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in integrating health services into dental settings, making this approach promising for HIV prevention.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston University Medical Campus — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Henshaw, Michelle M — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Henshaw, Michelle M
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 below.