Removable Prosthodontics in People Living with HIV: A Scoping Review of Evidence and Research Gaps

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains a major global public health challenge. Although antiretroviral therapy has improved survival, long-term health outcomes, including oral health and quality of life, remain important. People living with HIV (PLWH) may experience oral disease and tooth loss, making removable prosthodontic rehabilitation an important yet underexplored aspect of care. This scoping review aimed to map the available evidence on removable prosthodontic needs, access to care, and clinical and patient-reported outcomes among PLWH, identifying evidence gaps and areas requiring further research. Materials and Methods: This scoping review followed the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. Electronic databases and manual reference screening were used to identify relevant studies. Nine studies met the inclusion criteria and were qualitatively synthesised due to methodological heterogeneity. Results: The included studies identified unmet prosthodontic needs and potential disparities in access to care, alongside socioeconomic disadvantage and poorer oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Limited evidence suggested improvements in OHRQoL and masticatory function following removable prosthodontic rehabilitation. However, the evidence was insufficient to establish definitive treatment benefits. Findings on oral tissue health and local immune responses were particularly limited. Financial barriers, stigma, and healthcare inequalities were also reported as potential obstacles to accessing prosthodontic care. Conclusions: Removable prosthodontic care may help address the oral functional and rehabilitative needs of PLWH. However, limited evidence and methodological constraints preclude definitive conclusions about treatment effectiveness and long-term outcomes. Further adequately powered longitudinal and interventional studies are needed to evaluate clinical and patient-centred outcomes, clarify unmet needs, and inform equitable access to prosthodontic care.