Impact of HIV on VA dental services: report of a survey.

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to the treatment of HIV-infected patients by Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) dental personnel.

METHODS: A questionnaire was mailed to all VA dentists, hygienists, and EFDA assistants and completed anonymously in May 1991. Descriptive results are reported along with comparisons between the findings from this study and a similar VA survey conducted in 1988, as well as several national surveys of non-VA dentists.

RESULTS: Nearly all VA respondents reported participation in some type of continuing education on HIV and infection control. They also reported high compliance with recommended infection control procedures. Furthermore, the findings suggest that VA dentists and hygienists have a high willingness to treat HIV-infected patients, far exceeding that expressed by non-VA dentists. However, a high level of anxiety related to occupational exposure to HIV seems to exist. Most respondents perceived a higher risk of HIV infection from commonly encountered occurrences in the workplace than actually exists based on current knowledge.

CONCLUSIONS: While efforts to further reduce the risk of infection and improve care should continue, future efforts also should be directed toward reducing the anxiety of VA dental personnel in the treatment of infectious patients.