Two dentists emphasize oral-systemic message through HIV/AIDS dental clinic
AIDS Healthcare Foundation, a global health organization, opened its first expert oral health facility in mid-August to serve those suffering from HIV/AIDS in downtown Los Angeles. Two dentists, Drs. Mark Davis and Cesar Zamora, are involved with the oral health clinic in an effort to make sure that patients have access to the dental care they need, and they are making a difference in their lives. Their message is to emphasize the oral-systemic link.
Dr. Mark Davis took time from his busy day in the clinic to answer two questions, and I want share his responses here.
What is the biggest dental need among patients that you see?
Dr. Mark Davis: Primarily, we want to make sure people with a compromised immune system aren't walking around with untreated oral health conditions like abscesses, because conditions could be more aggressive for patients living with HIV and AIDS. We want to make sure that everyone has all of the health-care access that they need to live well with HIV.
What are the long-range goals you hope to accomplish at the dental clinic?
Dr. Davis: Our long-range goal is to open additional clinics in Los Angeles County in order to make dental services more accessible to patients closer to their homes and continue to close the gap between need and availability. We hope to help educate the public on the importance of oral health and its relationship to your overall health … that the mouth is connected to the rest of the body and poor oral health can translate into systemic problems. Your dentist may be the first to diagnose something he or she sees in your mouth and refer you to your physician for follow-up.
Read more about the new clinic:Global health organization opens its first new dental clinic for HIV/AIDS patients in downtown LA
One of the rooms of the facility
The two dentist-providers at the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Dr. Mark Davis (left) and Dr. Cesar Zamora (right)
Drs. Davis and Zamora work alongside three dental assistants, one dental hygienist, and one front desk person. All of the team members are bilingual in English and Spanish.
The AHF Downtown Dental Office is located at 1414 S. Grand Ave., Suite 485, Los Angeles, CA 90015, (213) 744-1752. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
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