Bournemouth LINk Report on Dentistry provision for people who are HIV Positive 2010-11

The LINk was approached by local people with concerns about the NHS dentistry provision for people living with HIV/AIDS in the Bournemouth area. We decided to investigate and planned a project to engage with people who are HIV positive and ask them their experiences of dentistry in the Bournemouth area. It is estimated that there could be around 400 people who are HIV positive living in the Bournemouth area.

The LINk worked on this project with Body Positive Dorset, a local group who support and empower people living with and who are affected by HIV in Dorset.

What did we find?

Although we found no evidence that discrimination is widespread, over 46% of the people who responded to our survey had not declared their HIV status to their dentist because they had concerns about doing so and a number of respondents have reported negative experiences with dentists directly related to their HIV status. The data suggests that a number of dentists are directly discriminating against people who are HIV positive in a number of ways.

The LINk made a number of recommendations to NHS Bournemouth and Poole, which they have accepted.

For more information

For more information download the full report or email Chris at the Bournemouth LINk office on chris.wakefield@helpandcare.org.uk.