Are you willing to treat AIDS patients?

Article Abstract:

Astudy of 1,351 dentists, carried out by the American Dental Association (ADA) and National Institute of Dental Research, revealed that 60 percent are willing to treat HIV-infected patients, a higher percentage than usually reported. Several studies of AIDS patients or people in high-risk groups found denial of treatment by dentists to be quite rare. In one study, only 1 out of 102 dentists denied treatment. On the other hand, significantly larger percentages of dentists themselves (in one study, 75 percent) report that they would not treat AIDS patients. A review of the literature on the topic is presented. In one mail survey of members of the Chicago Dental Survey, 77 percent said they would not knowingly treat patients who were HIV-infected. Another study carried out by the American Civil Liberties Union and the AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania found that 11 out of 37 randomly selected dentists refused to treat patients known to be HIV-positive. The current study used a weighted stratified random sample of dentists in the 48 continental United States. Other aspects of the study design attempted to maximize its 'personal' nature, resulting in a high response rate (88 percent of the originally selected sample). Details are presented concerning the questionnaire. Some of the ways that dentists willing to treat HIV-infected patients differed from those who were unwilling were that they worried less about acquiring AIDS from patients; were less likely to support quarantining of AIDS or HIV-infected people; experienced five or more hours of courses on infection control; were younger; participated in group practice; and spent more time in hospitals. It is likely that the current study found more dentists willing to treat AIDS patients because of its recency, use of national data, questionnaire construction, and high response rate. Since some dentists believe they will die if they treat such patients, it is understandable that they refuse to do so. Another factor in treating HIV-infected patients may be anticipated payment problems. In one survey, more than half the respondents said they believed an additional fee should be charged to HIV-infected patients. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Surveys, Dentist and patient, Dentist-patient relations, United States. National Institute of Dental Research

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Comparing dentists' attitudes and knowledge concerning AIDS: differences and similarities by locale

Article Abstract:

Dentists' attitudes toward treating patients with AIDS or HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection have been found to be influenced by misconceptions and ambivalence. Concerns have centered on personal safety, potential effects on the dental practice, risk assessment, the effectiveness of safety precautions, exposure to at-risk patients, and other issues. The National Commission on AIDS has suggested that health care professionals working in rural areas may be more likely to develop negative attitudes toward treating AIDS patients than workers in urban areas. This was tested by evaluating the responses of 1,351 general practice dentists in central cities (those with a high AIDS prevalence), other urban areas, and rural areas. The subjects completed a 12-page questionnaire concerning attitudes toward treating AIDS patients. The results showed no significant geographic differences in many aspects of the dentists' attitudes, including: willingness to treat HIV-infected people; fears of acquiring HIV infection in the course of practice (although regional differences were seen with respect to some fears); fears that patients would no longer attend the practice if it were known the dentist treated AIDS patients; knowledge concerning transmission of HIV; belief that dentists have the right to know whether patients are infected; and demographic characteristics of the dentists themselves. Rural dentists were least likely to feel an ethical obligation to treat AIDS patients (48 percent versus 55 percent and 58 percent, for central cities and other urban areas, respectively), and had more signs of fear and negativity toward such patients (particularly homosexuals). Ambivalence was seen in the fact that a majority of the dentists stated their willingness to treat HIV-infected patients as well as their belief that a setting other than the private office was best suited for these efforts. Overall, there were no differences in many attitudes toward AIDS patients between rural and urban practitioners, with the exception of greater concern for personal safety and negativism toward AIDS risk groups among rural dentists. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Environmental aspects

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Assessing HIV-related attitudes and orientations of male and female general dentists

Article Abstract:

Female dentists perceive a greater occupational risk of HIV infection and are less willing to treat infected patients than their male counterparts. Researchers surveyed 1,225 general dentists to study clinicians' attitudes and behaviors regarding the treatment of HIV-infected patients. Thirty-nine percent of male dentists and 22% of female dentists believed that there is a low risk of contracting HIV from infected patients. More men than women knew that needlestick injuries present a greater risk of hepatitis B than HIV infection. Approximately 10% more males than females felt that they could safely and competently treat HIV-infected patients. Seventy-one percent of males and 58% of females expressed a willingness to treat HIV-infected patients. Gender was a significant predictor of HIV-related attitudes and orientations, independent of the clinician's ethnicity, patient load, and age.

Care and treatment, Research, Sex differences

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