GENDER DIFFERENCES IN CHARACTERISTICS, INFECTION-CONTROL PRACTICES, KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES RELATED TO HIV AMONG ONTARIO DENTISTS

We surveyed 5.997 dentists in Ontario to investigate gender difference s in the characteristics. infection control practices, knowledge and a ttitudes regarding the treatment of HIV-infected patients. The respons e rate was 70.3%. Reports indicated that female dentists are younger a nd more likely to work in larger urban centres (P<0,00001), and in gen eral practice (P<0.0001) than their male counterparts. Multiple logist ic regression analyses indicated that many significant gender differen ces in the univariate analyses could be explained by the confounding i nfluence of age, practice location, and specialty; however, some diffe rences remain significant. Women were more likely than men to report a ttending continuing education dealing with HIV:AIDS in the past two ye ars (P<0.001), and to use masks and eye protection (P<0.00001). Men re ported mon economic concerns than women: they were more concerned abou t the financial burden of infection control costs (P<0.00001), and los ing patients from their practice if it is known that they treat patien ts with HIV (P<0.05). However, there were no significant differences i n willingness to provide treatment for patients with HIV. We conclude that there is little evidence to show that access to oral care for pat ients with HIV is affected by gender differences.