HIV/AIDS & Oral Health Research Program

Overview

The HIV/AIDS and Oral Health Research Program supports basic, translational, and clinical research relevant to dental, oral, and craniofacial health on HIV/AIDS that is aligned with the Office of AIDS Research (OAR) areas of emphasis. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research supports research to advance understanding of the underlying molecular, cellular, immunologic, and genetic mechanisms of HIV infection; the development of oral comorbidities associated with HIV/AIDS; and the effects of HIV treatments on oral and dental tissues. Relevant research topics include, but are not limited to:

Basic research focused on the mechanisms and dynamics of oral and oropharyngeal HIV infection and co-infections, including transmission, acquisition, establishment, and maintenance
Translational research to identify biomarkers and assays to predict the size of viral load and the risk for HIV infection and HIV-related co-infection in the oral cavity
Research to advance oral mucosal immunity as a therapeutic strategy in people that live with HIV
Research aimed at advancing antiretroviral therapeutic options that have lower risk for developing side effects, drug-resistance, and HIV-associated chronic oral diseases among people living with HIV or at risk of acquiring HIV
Clinical research on antiretroviral therapy (ART)-associated complications and pathologies related to HIV/AIDS and comorbidities in the oral cavity
Dissemination and implementation research to enhance access to evidence-based oral disease prevention and management in people living with HIV or at risk of acquiring HIV
Research to integrate screenings of HIV and HIV-related oral pathologies into primary health care and non-healthcare settings to enhance care coordination and HIV and oral health outcomes in communities
Research to determine HIV-related oral health factors, their impact on clinical and economic outcomes, and strategies to improve the dental care delivery system to expand access to evidence-based oral disease prevention and treatment