Using dental clinics to test and prevent HIV infection
Official title: Testing and Texting in Community Health Center Dental Clinics to Diagnose and Prevent HIV Infection
Funded at Boston University Medical Campus · NIH-10934377 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 start | September 24, 2023 |
| Project end | September 23, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $729,902 |
| NIH project number | 5UH3DE031249-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10934377 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
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.
✕Less likely to help
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.
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.
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 gone: 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 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.