As part of the DeRouen Center’s U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) National Institutes of Health (NIH) R21 Grant (“Dynamics of HIV-infection, oral innate immunity and the development of oral diseases in children”, grant number R21TW012033), we held study feedback sessions at Ahero, Kombewa, and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital clinics in Kisumu County, with staff joining both in-person and virtually. We shared results from our study of 3–4-year-old children who were HIV positive, HIV negative and exposed, and HIV negative and unexposed. The main findings show high rates of dental caries and gum disease, along with HIV-related conditions like oral ulcers, candidiasis, and warts.
A major topic was infant oral mutilation, a harmful traditional practice we found in many children. Clinic staff were eager to discuss how to better educate families, improve hygiene and nutrition, and fold oral health into existing HIV care. The sessions gave providers clear takeaways for patient care while strengthening partnerships to improve children’s oral health in the community.