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AIDS and Infection Control: Amsterdam Dentists Surveyed
Author(s) -
Horst Guusje,
HammannKonings Gabrlelle M. J.,
Hegten Mlrjam J.,
Maritz Bertie M.,
Meijer Karin L.,
Meyland Yolanda M.,
Waag Chris
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
journal of public health dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.64
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1752-7325
pISSN - 0022-4006
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-7325.1989.tb02069.x
Subject(s) - medicine , family medicine , infection control , quarter (canadian coin) , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , transmission (telecommunications) , surgery , archaeology , electrical engineering , history , engineering
In March 1988 all Amsterdam dentists (N=470) were sent a questionnaire to assess the extent of compliance with guidelines from the Health Council to prevent HIV transmission in dental practice. Response rate was 62 percent. Gloves, masks, and other protective garments were widely used. Other infection control procedures, like sterilizing instruments, were often not followed in ways recommended by the Health Council. To date, 60 percent of the respondents did not spend more than US$2,500 for protective garments or special equipment. Planned expenditure is substantially higher. One‐quarter of the respondents were certain to have one or more HIV‐seropositive patients, and 35 percent believed they did. When taking the medical history, almost one‐third of the dentists ask questions to assess whether a patient is possibly HIV seropositive. Forty percent of the dentists hold the opinion that it is necessary for a dentist to know whether a patient is HIV seropositive. This is against Health Council views. Thirty percent of the respondents are definitely fearful of AIDS infection and want additional information or training on this topic.