Transgender HIV status, self-perceived dental care barriers, and residents' stigma, willingness to treat them in a community dental outreach program: Cross-sectional study

Abstract

Aim: Assess the association between high risk transgender (TG) HIV status, self-perceived barriers toward oral care, and the residents' stigma and willingness to treat during community dental outreach.

Methods: Demographics, tobacco habits, HIV status, willingness for rapid HIV testing, and self- perceived oral health, barriers toward oral care were assessed in a cross-sectional study among 212 transgender in South India. Further, the residents' stigma across three subscales and residents' willingness to treat the transgender was evaluated.

Results: Overall, 88% had begging as the sole income, and 93% lived in slums and used some form of tobacco. Oral health was perceived to be poor by more than half, and the mean probing pocket depth (PPD) and decayed, missing, or filled teeth (DMFT) was 4.2 mm and 3.67, respectively. The residents reported significantly low regard and willingness to treat TG irrespective of high/low stigma and when the transgender HIV status was positive/do not know. Residents with greater fear of exposure expressed least regard and willingness to treat TG (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: The self-perceived oral health of transgender' was poor corresponding to the clinical examination findings. Moreover, the stigmatizing attitude and low regard to provide oral care is rampant among the dental residents, which further frustrates dental care.

Keywords: HIV; oral health; stigma; transgender.