CHANGES IN DENTISTS INFECTION-CONTROL PRACTICES, KNOWLEDGE, AND ATTITUDES ABOUT HIV OVER A 2-YEAR PERIOD

Objective. To investigate changes in the infection control practices, attitudes, and knowledge of dentists as they relate to HIV/AIDS. Study design. A comparison of responses to surveys conducted in 1992 (n = 2 58) and 1994 (n = 262) with the use of univariate/multivariate analyse s and McNemar's test for paired data. Results. The response rates were >70%. There were significant increases in reports of continuing educa tion related to HIV/AIDS, heat sterilization of handpieces, use of mas ks, and knowledge of risk of HIV infection after a needlestick injury. Significantly fewer respondents reported concerns about staff fears a bout HIV/AIDS. Reports of willingness to treat patients with HIV incre ased from 68% to 77%. The best predictors of willingness to treat chan ged from primarily infection control variables to lack of concern with respect to risk or loss of patients when treating persons with HIV. C onclusions. Increased use of infection control procedures and knowledg e may be partly attributable to the introduction of mandatory continui ng education in 1993.