People living with HIV/Aids (PLWHA) are vulnerable regarding oral health. Dentists’ education, traditionally technical and procedure-centered, may not be sensitive to subjective demands. The objective was to understand how PLWHA deal with their oral health, in order to promote humanized and integral care. A qualitative study was carried out with 12 PLWHA adults analyzing the perception of oral health and care expectations through thematic focus groups and in-depth interviews. The discourses were categorized by the thematic content analysis method. It was observed the need for dentists’ training that goes beyond techniques and guidelines, highlighting the importance of listening and dialogic relations - a fundamental action to enhance and deepen care relationships. It is expected that this article based on the Continuing Education in Health, will provide contributions to the educational actions in oral health that may fully contemplate the unique point of view of PLWHA.
Oral health; HIV; Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; Oral health education; Continuing education