Nationally Renowned Speakers and New Test Method Spike Attendance at Oral Health & HIV Symposium

The Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) in conjunction with the New England HIV Education Consortium (NEHEC) and the New England AIDS Education and Training Center (NEAETC) hosted the 26th Oral Health & HIV Symposium. Dental professionals traveled to the Boston Marriott Newton to participate in the day-long program held on March 19.

The Symposium was designed to update participants on new concerns and issues in AIDS, HIV infection, and the practice of dentistry with a focus on the medically complex patient. Updated infection control recommendations for 2010 and the periodontal disease systemic disease connection were presented.

“This year’s Symposium was very well attended with more than 220 attendees," said event Planning Committee Chair and GSDM Professor and Director of the Division of Dental Public Health Dr. Ana Karina Mascarenhas. "A draw was national speakers Dr. Jennifer Cleveland from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Dr. Thomas Van Dyke from GSDM. Additionally, the new rapid saliva test that creates the possibility of using the dental office as a new HIV testing site has captured the interest of the dental community.”

Additional event speakers included Dr. Mascarenhas, Harvard Medical School Instructor Dr. Virginia Triant, Director of Infectious Diseases at South Shore Hospital Dr. Todd Ellerin, and Associate Professor and Director of Infection Control and Occupational Health at Forsyth Institute Ms. Kathy Eklund.