GEOGRAPHIC DIFFERENCES IN THE ATTITUDES, KNOWLEDGE AND INFECTION-CONTROL PRACTICES OF ONTARIO DENTISTS

Geographic differences in the HIV-related attitudes, knowledge and beh aviours of 5,997 dentists in Ontario were investigated using mailed qu estionnaires (response rate 70%). Proportionately more respondents fro m larger population centres reported that they knowingly treated HIV-i nfected patients (p<0.00001), they were unwilling to treat HIV-infecte d patients (p<0.05), they had an exaggerated perception of the risk of HIV infection after a needlestick injury (p<0.01), they were concerne d about personal risk (p<0.01) and staff fears (p<0.05) related to HIV /AIDS, and that patients with HIV or AIDS should be treated in hospita ls/specialized practices (p<0.001). Multiple logistic regression analy sis controlling for age, sex, and specialty, showed that respondents w ho practised in smaller population centres were significantly more wil ling to treat HIV-infected patients (<10,000, odds ratio=1.6; 10,000-4 9,999, odds ratio ratio=1.3). Significantly fewer respondents in the C entral West, and Central East Health Planning Region, where AIDS is mo st prevalent, reported that they were willing to treat HIV patients.