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The dentist and infectious diseases: a national survey of attitudes and behavior

1989; Elsevier BV; Volume: 118; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês

10.14219/jada.archive.1989.0082

1943-4723

A. Carl Verrusio, Enid A. Neidle, Kent D. Nash, Sol Silverman, Alice M. Horowitz, Karen Wagner,

HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk

In 1986, the American Dental Association decided to conduct a survey to test the knowledge of, compliance with, and attitudes toward infection control procedures and treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. The same survey was repeated in 1988 to see what effect involvement of federal regulatory agencies and the continuous flood of professional and media information on acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) would have on dentists' behavior, knowledge, and attitudes. The results in this article suggest several trends. Two national surveys of infection control practices in 1986 and 1988 suggest several trends. A massive educational effort has brought about impressive acceptance and use of the hepatitis vaccine. Dramatic changes have occurred in respect to use of gloves and other barrier techniques. However, increased understanding of HIV infection has not, in the years surveyed, totally eradicated irrational fears about this disease. In 1986, the American Dental Association decided to conduct a survey to test the knowledge of, compliance with, and attitudes toward infection control procedures and treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. The same survey was repeated in 1988 to see what effect involvement of federal regulatory agencies and the continuous flood of professional and media information on acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) would have on dentists' behavior, knowledge, and attitudes. The results in this article suggest several trends. Two national surveys of infection control practices in 1986 and 1988 suggest several trends. A massive educational effort has brought about impressive acceptance and use of the hepatitis vaccine. Dramatic changes have occurred in respect to use of gloves and other barrier techniques. However, increased understanding of HIV infection has not, in the years surveyed, totally eradicated irrational fears about this disease.