Oral HIV Testing Now Offered by Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Catrise Austin of VIP Smiles in New York City

VIP Smiles Leads the Industry as the Private Dental Practice in the Nation to Offer Rapid HIV Testing.


Leading Dental Industry Pioneer Dr. Catrise Austin, D.D.S. Promotes Awareness of the OraQuick ADVANCE® Rapid HIV Antibody Test.


NEW YORK, N.Y. VIP Smiles, owned by Dr. Catrise Austin, D.D.S., announced today the availability of the OraQuick ADVANCE® Rapid HIV Antibody Test in their Manhattan office. VIP Smiles is the first New York-based private dental practice certified and trained to offer the test, which can be administered as a screening test during regular dental exams. The test delivers results within 20 minutes.




The oral cavity is one of several places where HIV infection is found, so dentists have a unique opportunity to incorporate rapid HIV testing in their daily practice, said Dr. Austin. Were proud to be the first local private dental practice to offer the OraQuick ADVANCE® test, and weve partnered with the New York State Department of Health to generate awareness and promote its benefits.



According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 1.1 million people in the United States are infected with HIV, and 232,700 dont know it. To combat the spread of HIV, and generate awareness of the importance of being tested and knowing ones status, medical professionals have begun implementing innovative new ways to make HIV more accessible and convenient.




The OraQuick ADVANCE® Rapid HIV Antibody Test, now used in a growing number of dental schools and clinics throughout the United States, is the only rapid HIV test to be approved by the FDA for use with oral fluid. To administer the test, the patient swabs the outer gums with the device and then inserts it into a vial containing a developer solution. The procedure is fast and painless, and delivers accurate results within 20 minutes. In the clinical studies by the manufacturer, the test correctly identified 99.3 percent of people who were infected with HIV-1 and 99.9 percent of people who were not infected with HIV-1.



Detection is the first line of defense against HIV, said Dr. Austin. Its my hope that rapid testing in dental practices will help to encourage more regular testing among American men and women of all ages, so that those patients who are positive can receive proper treatment and continue to live long, healthy lives.



On Saturday, October 17, Dr. Austin will speak on the Technical Assistance Panel at the 2009 Conference on Oral Pathology & Rapid HIV Testing at the New York University College of Dentistry. The conference is devoted to the advancement of the art and science of dentistry in service to the public.



Additionally, October will mark the release of Dr. Austins new book, 5 Steps to the Hollywood A-List Smile, published by Morgan James Publishing. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Hopes Voice International (www.hopesvoice.org), an HIV and AIDS organization committed to promoting the education, prevention and the end of stigma of HIV and AIDS among young adults.




For more information on VIP Smiles and the OraQuick ADVANCE® Rapid HIV Antibody Test, visit www.vipsmiles.com or call (212) 262-6054. Testing is available to new and existing dental patients, as well as individuals interested in HIV testing only.




Note: Dr. Austin is available for local and national interviews, as well as speaking engagements, on HIV and oral health.




About VIP Smiles

VIP Smiles is a progressive, New York-based dental practice located in the heart of Manhattan. Under the leadership of expert cosmetic dentist, Dr. Catrise Austin, D.D.S., the practice offers a full range of general, restorative and cosmetic dentistry services, including Invisalign®, Snap-On Smile®, porcelain veneers and teeth whitening. Visit VIP Smiles on the web at www.vipsmiles.com.

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[nermar1]

As a believer in HIV & AIDS awareness, I think this is a fabulous idea! Everyone should be tested every 6 months and with a convenient and painless option, why not?

I know it isn't the easiest topic to bring up or talk about; however, I hope more dentists and physicians offer this service as well.

[drcaustin]

Thanks nermar1 for your comment! Please share this video. I am actively working to make this the standard of care and get more dentists involved across the nation! Surprisingly, the media is not giving this the attention that I think that this desreves.

[spinceara]

very interesting

[HIVVideos]

@averagejoe511 it's called the "AIDS Zone" it is criminal for people to go through these toxic emotions based on a non specific antibody test.

[HIVVideos]

@drcaustin It would be nice to know that you do have a clear conscience. "HIV testing" is a pretty unreliable thing to be doing when the very construct of it always leads to Iatrogenic Harm. please check out my video "HIV testing just how positive are we"? you are a dentist so you have the ability to review the literature. Also see "House of Numbers Excerpt" here on youtube.

[averagejoe511]

I just found out today that I tested negative for HiV. However the Anxiety I had waiting to see the doctor for a whole week was mind blowing. Not only did I have to wait a week for the results not to mention the 3 hour waiting line the Doctor had NO IDEA why I was their. I basically had to spell it out to her I wanted to get my results for the HIV test and after a few tense moments pulling up my file she told me I tested negative. REST YOUR NERVES AND TAKE THE 20 MINUTE SWAP TEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[othomas12]

nice breasts

[DrCatriseAustin]

Ok Facebook, I'm looking for media interviews to talk about HIV testing for June 27th's National HIV testing Day. As the first dentist in the nation offering HIV testing in a private practice dental office, I want to tell the world about this and get more dentist across the world to follow my lead. Please pass my name along or send me leads! :)

[kalashnikov567]

how effective can these mouth swab tests really be though? seems too easy. I think this is how they tested us when we returned from our deployment. I don't know, it just seems to easy to be accurate.

[jf1gd2]

except u dont tell people that, if they test positive youll: send off their results to the government, they wont be allowed to join the military, will get dropped from their insurance carrier or get a renewal thats so expensive that they can no longer afford coverage.

whoops!