Living With HIV

What We Do

INFORMATION

SUPPORT

SUPPORT FOR WOMEN

FIND OUT MORE

New HIV Dental Services

Mon, 29/03/2010 - 3:47pm — admin

HIV Dentist

New HIV Dental Services at RPA and Liverpool

Royal Prince Alfred (RPA) and Liverpool Hospitals have opened two new free dental clinics for people living with HIV. The clinics are open on the first Saturday morning of each month and offer free assessment and cleaning to people who live or work within the catchment area for Sydney South West Area Health Service.

Web: Check if you live or work in the area

If further dental treatment is required a referral will be arranged for you.

To access treatment you will need to be referred by a staff member who works in the SSWAHS at one of the following. If you're not already in contact with anyone you can contact Positive Central who will arrange a referral for you.

Bigge Park Centre - 13 Elizabeth Street, Corner of Bigge Street, LIVERPOOL, NSW 2170
Ph: 9827 8022 Fax: 9602 4352
Concord - Level 6 West, Ambulatory Care, Concord Hospital, Hospital Road, CONCORD, NSW 2139
Ph: 9767 661 Fax: 9767 6192
RPAH - HIV Outpatient Clinic, Bldg. 82, Level 10, Missenden Road, CAMPERDOWN, NSW 2050
Ph: 9515 8814/7832 Fax: 9515 8718
RPA Sexual Health Clinic - Building 21, Lucas Lane, RPA, CAMPERDOWN, NSW 2050
Ph: 9515 3131 Fax: 9515 3112
Positive Central Community HIV Service - HIV Allied Health team provides specialist social work, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and dietetics services.
103 – 105 Redfern Street, REDFERN, NSW 2016
Ph: 9395 0444 Fax: 9690 1978 Email: positivecentral@email.cs.nsw.gov.au
Heterosexuals HIV/AIDS Service (Pozhets) - State-wide service working with HIV positive heterosexuals, their partners and family members.
103 -105 Redfern Street, REDFERN, NSW 2016
Ph: 9395 0444 Freecall: 1800 812 404 Email: pozhet@email.cs.nsw.gov.au Website: www.pozhet.org.au
The Sanctuary - NEWTOWN, NSW 2042
Ph: 9519 6142 Fax: 9519 6964 Email: thesanctuary@bigpond.com

Ask your referring clinician to call the HIV and Related Programs (HARP) Unit on (02) 9828 5945 to arrange an appointment for you. You can also call this number for further information about the program.

What is a HARP Unit?

The NSW Department of Health is divided into smaller Area Health Services that deliver health care to different parts of NSW. Each Area Health Service also has a HARP Unit that takes care of HIV specific health issues. These new dental clinics have been organised by the HARP Unit in the Sydney South West Area Health Service.

Oral health + nutrition

The Nutrition Divisions of the Albion Street Centre and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and the Sydney Dental Hospital are researching a referral process that may assist people with poor nutrition to better access dental services. They're looking for people living with HIV to participate in a brief questionnaire and quick oral check.

Participants will be given a Hoyts Movie Voucher for their participation. For further information please call Louise or Lia on (02) 9332 9600.

What’s happening with Medicare?

Although the Federal Government plans to close the Medicare Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) Dental Scheme and transfer the funding to a new and improved public dental scheme for all Australians, the scheme remains open to new and existing clients as of March 2010.

People already registered with the scheme may be entitled to a new round of funding with the passing of the New Year. To check your current entitlements call Medicare on 132 011. You'll need to quote your Medicare Number and you may need to see your GP for a new referral. You can call Medicare to ask if you need a new referral on the same number.

If you have not registered with the scheme there is a guide to assist you. For details of participating HIV friendly dentists contact your local ACON branch. ACON staff may have details of dentists who will bulk bill, so you will have no out of pocket expenses.

Web: Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) Dental Scheme step-by-step guide

Public Dental Clinics

There are a number of Public Dental clinics that are specifically set up to provide free assessment and treatment for People Living with HIV. However these clinics are not funded to provide the full range of treatments available through the Medicare scheme.

Some people choose to have an initial assessment performed at a public clinic and any further work needed performed under the Medicare Scheme. Having the initial assessment and treatment performed at a Public Clinic leaves a greater portion of your Medicare entitlements free for other work.

Remember you do not have to consent to have multiple extractions (a full oral clearance) unless you have had a second opinion from another dentist experienced in HIV Dentistry.