Expanding Integrated Oral Health Capacity for People with HIV Through Infrastructure Enhancement - Abstract Project Title: Expanding Integrated Oral Health Capacity for People with HIV Through Infrastructure Enhancement Southeast Mississippi Rural Health Initiative, Inc. (SEMRHI), a Federally Qualified Health Center and Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part C recipient, requests $150,000 under HRSA-26-061, Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part C Capacity Development Program, Activity 3: Dental Equipment for Expanding Dental Service Capacity, to purchase, install, and place into service the equipment necessary to activate the existing fourth dental operatory at Hattiesburg Community Dental Center in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. SEMRHI provides integrated HIV primary care, oral health services, behavioral health, case management, pharmacy access, laboratory coordination, and other supportive services for people with HIV throughout southeast Mississippi. Although SEMRHI has an existing fourth dental operatory, it cannot currently be used because it lacks the equipment required for clinical operations. As a result, patients seeking routine dental care frequently experience appointment wait times of three to six months. The need for expanded capacity is demonstrated by both Ryan White and dental program data. During the most recent Ryan White Part C reporting period, SEMRHI served 504 patients, yet only 194 patients (38.5%) received oral health services. During calendar year 2025, SEMRHI's dental program provided 6,057 dental encounters to 3,067 unique patients using three equipped operatories staffed by three dentists and one dental hygienist, demonstrating sustained demand for services and the organization's ability to immediately utilize expanded treatment capacity. The proposed project will activate the existing fourth dental operatory, increasing appointment availability, improving scheduling flexibility, reducing routine dental appointment wait times, and strengthening integration of oral health services within SEMRHI's comprehensive HIV care model. SEMRHI's goal is to increase the number of Ryan White Part C patients receiving oral health services by at least 25 percent, from 194 patients to at least 243 patients, during the project period. This one-time infrastructure investment will create permanent organizational capacity without requiring construction, facility expansion, or additional grant-funded clinical personnel. SEMRHI will sustain the expanded capacity through its existing workforce, operational resources, and integrated system of care, ensuring continued access to comprehensive oral health services for people with HIV well beyond the project period
