Educational opportunities are frequently mentioned as ways in which to reduce dentists' concerns about treating HIV+ patients (PHIV+). Data analyses reveal significant differences between GPDs who regard themselves as well informed about the dental needs of PHIV+ (80%, n=313) and those who do not (17%, n=67) with regard to perceptions of safety, risk assessment, and willingness to treat PHIV+. Data were collected via mail survey of active private general practitioner dentists (GPDs) in New York City in 1999-2000. Responses were received from 392 of 559 eligible GPDs (70% response rate). Larger percentages of GPDs who feel well informed strongly agree with statements expressing: ability to treat PHIV+ safely (52% feel well informed vs. 13% feel not well informed), willingness to treat asymptomatic PHIV+ of record (57% vs. 32%), and willingness to treat patients of record with AIDS (45% vs. 23%). Larger percentages of GPDs who do not feel well informed strongly agree with statements expressing the belief that treating PHIV+ will result in increased personal risk (44% do not feel well informed vs. 24% feel well informed), increased risk to staff (41% vs. 21%), and other patients will leave the practice if they know that PHIV+ patients are being treated (30% vs. 17%). All differences p< .01. Results indicate that GPDs who feel well informed about the dental needs of PHIV+ are more likely to be willing to treat such patients, to feel they can treat them safely, and to feel they and their staff experience less risk when treating PHIV+.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the presentation, the participant should know 1) current rates of dentists' willingness to treat HIV+ patients as well as dentists' perceived levels of risk and safety associated with treating such patients, 2) be able to contrast these rates according to the extent to which dentists feel well informed about the dental needs of such patients, 3) be able to identify several factors that contribute to dentists feeling well informed about the dental needs of HIV+ patients, and 4) be able to discuss the implications of these factors for the design of interventions aimed at increasing dentists' willingness to treat HIV+ patients.
Keywords: Access to Care, HIV/AIDS
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