24th Oral Health & HIV Symposium Focuses on the Geriatric Patient

The 24th Annual Symposium on Oral Health & HIV took place on Friday, March 14, at the Marriott Boston, Newton. This annual event was designed to update participants on new concerns and issues related to AIDS, HIV infection, and the practice of dentistry. This year focused on emerging issues in the oral care of the geriatric patient including those HIV positive, as well as, new recommendations for immunizations for healthcare personnel.

The event is put on by Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine (BUGSDM) Division of Dental Public Health and Division of Continuing Education, as well as the The New England AIDS Education and Training Center (NEAETC). Representatives from The Forsyth Institute, the Boston Public Health Commission, and Delta Dental of Massachusetts also sit on the planning committee. The Symposium featured six speakers including BUGSDM Professor and Chair of General Dentistry Dr. Judith Jones, who’s lecture was titled, Clinical Issues in the Management of the Geriatric Patient.

"This annual symposium is important to BUGSDM because it allows us to provide high quality continuing education at a reasonable cost to the dental community in New England," said Director of the Division of Dental Public Health Dr. Ana Karina Mascarenhas. "With the aging baby boomers, this year’s focus on oral care of the geriatric patient was timely and really struck a cord with the 140 attendees. All of the speakers did a great job contributing to an extremely successful event."