Infectious Disease Specialty Dental Clinic

The primary goal of the ID Specialty Dental Clinic is to provide a full spectrum of dental services for adults living with HIV, including emergency care, restorative care, and preventive oral treatment and education. Services may include oral medicine, radiology, oral surgery, periodontics, prosthodontics, endodontics and operative dentistry. A part of the University Medical Center in New Orleans and staffed by LSUHSC School of Dentistry (LSUSD), the clinic is one of the few in the nation that is located in a primary-care medical facility. This comprehensive model allows for the provision of dental care as a fully integrated component of total outpatient health care for the HIV patient. The ID Dental Clinic, staffed with specialized practitioners using the most up-to-date equipment, allows HIV/AIDS patients to get early and comprehensive intervention.

HIV/AIDS patients are more susceptible to severe oral lesions, decay, and aggressive dental diseases affecting the gums. These type of lesions can be difficult to diagnose and frequently require a specialized dental professional to identify and address a problem quickly before it becomes too serious. Often, the oral lesions can become so severe that patients are unable to eat, causing further deterioration to their fragile health. Some cases become critical as the lesions and resultant lack of proper nutrition can lead to death. The interrelationship of oral health and the overall physiological health of the entire person cannot be overemphasized - 100% of all antiviral medications are given in relation to food intake. Oral pain discourages patients from eating thus potentially interfering with strict medication regimens.

Patient Information
To access dental care services, patients should call 504-826-2179 to discuss eligibility requirements. The dental clinic provides restorative and preventive oral health care. For more information, please visit the LCMC Infectious Disease Care Clinic website.

*HOP has MOVED to
University Medical Center
Ambulatory Care Building
2000 Canal Street
New Orleans, LA 70119

Contact Us

Infectious Disease Care Clinic
University Medical Center
Ambulatory Care Building
2000 Canal Street
New Orleans, LA 70119
Phone:  504-826-2179
FAX:  504-826-2085