HAB HIV Performance Measures: 

Oral Health Services 

Performance Measure: Oral Health Services: 

Oral Health Education 

Percentage of HIV-infected oral health patients1 who received oral health education2 at least once in the 

measurement year. 

Numerator: Number of HIV-infected oral health patients who received oral health education2

 at least 

once in the measurement year. 

Denominator: Number of HIV-infected oral health patients that received a clinical oral evaluation3

 at 

least once in the measurement year. 

Patient 

Exclusions: 

1. Patients who had only an evaluation or treatment for a dental emergency in the 

measurement year.4 

2. Patients who were < 12 months old. 

Data Element: 

1. Is the patient HIV-infected? (Y/N) 

a. If yes, did the patient have a clinical oral evaluation3 at least once in the 

measurement year? (Y/N) 

i. If yes, did the patient receive oral health education2 at least once in the 

measurement year? (Y/N) 

Data Sources: 

 Data reports required by HRSA/HAB, such as the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program 

Services Report (RSR), may provide useful data regarding the number of patients 

identified as receiving oral health services. 

 Electronic Health Record/Electronic Medical Record 

 Oral health services patient record data abstraction of a sample of records. 

 Provider billing systems may be used; however, this will be dependent on the 

completeness and accuracy of coding of the procedures of interest. 

National Goals, 

Targets, or 

Benchmarks 

for 

Comparison: 

None available at this time. 

Outcome 

Measures for 

Consideration: 

 Rate of dental disease and oral pathology in the practice population 

 Rate of tobacco cessation in the practice population 

Basis for Selection: 

A higher risk of dental caries in patients with HIV may be caused by decreased salivary flow, which may 

occur as a result of salivary gland disease or as a side effect of a number of medications. Also, some 

topical antifungal medications have high sugar content, possibly resulting in increased caries susceptibility. 

The adverse effects of using tobacco should be discussed with the patients. If patient is a tobacco user, 

cessation should also be discussed. For in-office consumer and provider materials on tobacco cessation 

programs, dentists can access http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/tobacco/default.htm.5 

Oral Health Final | November 23, 2009| Page 5 of 10 
HAB HIV Performance Measures: 

Oral Health Services 

Performance Measure: Oral Health Services: 

Oral Health Education 

The American Dental Association (ADA) Dental Practice Parameters include the provision of patient 

education: “The dentist should emphasize prevention and oral disease through patient education which may 

include oral hygiene instructions....Counseling may be provided regarding tobacco use or other behaviors 

that may compromise oral health.”6 

US Public Health Service Guidelines: 

None. 

References/Notes: 

1 “Patient” includes patients aged 12 months or older. 

2 Oral health education should include: oral hygiene instruction (ADA CDT code D1330) and 

smoking/tobacco cessation counseling (ADA CDT code D1320) as indicated. Oral health education may be 

provided and documented by a licensed dentist, dental hygienist, dental assistant and/or dental case manager. 

For pediatric patients, oral health education should be provided to parents and caregivers and be age 

appropriate for pediatric patients. 

3 Clinical oral evaluations include evaluation, diagnosis and treatment planning. Pertinent ADA CDT codes 

may include the following: D0120-Periodic Oral Evaluation-established patient; D0150-Comprehensive oral 

evaluation, new or established patient; D0160-Detailed and Extensive Oral Evaluation; D0170-Re-evaluation, 

limited, problem focused (established patient; not post-operative visit); and D0180-Comprehensive 

Periodontal Evaluation-new or established patient. 

4 Pertinent ADA CDT codes for patient exclusion may include the following: D9110-Palliative (emergency) 

treatment of dental pain-minor procedure; and D0140-Limited Oral Evaluation-Problem Focused; however, 

the diagnostic and treatment procedures associated with emergency evaluation and treatment encounters 

(including those using these or other ADA CDT codes, as well as other procedures which may not be coded) 

should be considered when identifying excluded patients. 

5 New York State Department of Health. Oral health care for people with HIV infection. New York (NY): 

New York State Department of Health; 2001 Dec.: 4. 

6

 American Dental Association. Dental Practice Parameters. Patient without clinical signs or symptoms of 

oral disease. Available at: http://www.ada.org/prof/prac/tools/parameters/disease.asp. Accessed on May 8, 

2009. 

Oral Health Final | November 23, 2009| Page 6 of 10