Dental CE Course: HIV/AIDS: Etiology and Oral Manifestations

Course Description
Because the diagnosis of HIV infection or AIDS was a death sentence for many years until the highly active antiretroviral medications were discovered, the HIV virus and the infections it causes continue to be greatly feared. Significant efforts have been made by researchers and clinicians to increase our knowledge of HIV, its infections and effective prevention and treatment, since they were first identified in the 1980s. The massive public health effort to increase knowledge about HIV transmission and effective protective interventions certainly have helped to reduce the fear that initially gripped the US. The general public and healthcare workers have benefited from this collectively gained knowledge.

Part 1. Etiology and Epidemiology of HIV and AIDS
Part 2. Transmission and Infection Control
Part 3. Testing and Counseling
Part 4. Clinical Manifestations and Treatment
Part 5. Ethical and Legal Issues
Part 6. Psychosocial Issues

Course Objectives
Define HIV and AIDS.
Discuss how HIV impacts the body.
Describe behaviors that increase the risk of HIV infection.
State how HIV is transmitted.
Discuss Infection Control precautions, including Universal/Standard precautions.
Describe the procedure for on-the-job exposure to HIV, HBV or HCV.
Discuss pre and post test counseling requirements.
Define partner notification.
Review recommendations for testing related to sexual assault.
Describe the natural history of HIV infection.
Identify AIDS indicator conditions.
Discuss recent HIV medication therapies.
Outline management of HIV and common co-occurring illnesses
Discuss discrimination related to HIV/AIDS.
Describe interventions related to the management of behaviors endangering the public.
Discuss the human impact of HIV/AIDS on the patient and the caregiver.
Describe typical stages of grief.
Discuss select populations and their relationship to HIV/AIDS.



The looped red ribbon became the universal symbol of AIDS awareness. Courtesy of the National Institutes of Health