Numerous articles published during the last decade have discussed the significance of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) toward the practice of dentistry. However, only since 1987 have studies been undertaken on the attitudes and behavior of dentists toward HIV-positive patients. A detailed analysis of 15 such reports suggests that concerns regarding the perceived stigma of treating such patients, together with a fear that HIV is transmitted through dental treatment are major reasons why dentists are reluctant to care for HIV-positive and AIDS patients. Successful resolution of these concerns is time consuming and expensive but necessary if dentists are to satisfy their professional obligations to patients with HIV infection and AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1992

Infectious or not? The handpiece controversy.

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Dental High-Speed Equipment↗

PubMed1992

Recent recommendations for hepatitis B vaccination.

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Dental Hygienists↗

PubMed1992

A 1992 update on hepatitis B vaccination.

Surveillance studies of people at high risk for hepatitis B, combined with almost 10 years of experience with the vaccine, have allowed cost effective vaccination programs to be devised. It would make good sense to incorporate the hepatitis B vaccination into the standard childhood immunization protocols. Present teenagers, who will not benefit from such a program, would be well advised to be vaccinated. All clinical dental staff should also be immunized. These three actions would be very effective in curbing the spread of this preventable disease.

Dental Staff↗

PubMed1992

Does HIV cause AIDS? A review.

It would require a detailed knowledge of virology, molecular biology, epidemiology, clinical medicine and politics, to appropriately compare and contrast the hypotheses on the causes of AIDS. The purpose of this review was not to do that, but to inform colleagues that alternative etiologies for AIDS have been considered. No doubt, this healthy questioning will continue until it has been demonstrated--via controlled studies of high-risk groups (both HIV positive and negative), matched for all other characteristics--that only those individuals with HIV positivity actually develop AIDS. It cannot be denied that a common theme to the hypotheses is the presence of high-risk activities. This has been used against the risk-AIDS hypothesis. How, for example, could it explain babies born with immunodeficiencies, K. Bergalis contacting AIDS from her dentist, the British nurse who died of AIDS after contracting HIV from her husband, or AIDS in the wives of hemophiliacs? It may be that these people died of specific diseases (leukemia, pneumonia, infections), which 20 years ago would have been diagnosed as such. Now, because these individuals are found to be HIV positive, they are viewed as AIDS patients. Alternatively, they may not have been asked about their nutritional status, use of psychoactive drugs, and immunosuppressive sexual practices. Additionally, it is possible that by the time AIDS was diagnosed they may have already received numerous antibiotic (immunosuppressive) drug treatments. In North America, for whatever reason, AIDS is associated with high-risk groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1992

The attitudes and concerns of Canadian dental health care workers toward infection control and the treatment of AIDS patients.

This survey indicates that while the majority of Canadian dental personnel would treat AIDS patients, they are concerned about the transmission of the causative agent and the efficacy of recommended infection control procedures. It is believed that a frank discussion of these reservations and anxieties is essential if dentists and their auxiliaries are to treat AIDS patients in an effective, comfortable manner.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1992

Addressing the fears of HIV transmission in dental practice.

Recent surveys indicate that dental personnel are prepared to provide care for HIV+/AIDS patients, but do so with some reluctance. Their specific concerns have been identified and an attempt has been made to allay these fears by examining them from scientific, clinical, epidemiologic and historical perspectives. These somewhat pragmatic criteria suggest that HIV transmission in dental practice is extremely unlikely-if not impossible. However, the explanations offered to arrive at these conclusions may fail to resolve the suspicions that some dentists and their auxiliaries harbor toward individuals demonstrating lifestyles foreign to their own. If this is so, the advice of counsellors, social scientists and behavioral modification experts must be sought if dental personnel wish to provide care to HIV+/AIDS patients in an atmosphere of mutual trust, confidence and respect.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1992

Infectious or not?--the handpiece controversy.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Communicable Diseases↗