HIV-infected patients and dental care: nondisclosure of HIV status and rejection for treatment

Abstract

Objective: To investigate reports of nondisclosure of HIV-seropositivity to dentists by HIV-infected patients and their rejection for dental treatment.

Study design: An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was completed by 101 consecutive consenting HIV-infected patients.

Results: Eighty percent of respondents (mean age, 36 years) had visited a dentist since their HIV diagnosis; 15% of these reported that they had been refused treatment because the dentist did not want to treat HIV-infected patients. Rejection was reported by 25% of respondents with heterosexual and 14% with homosexual risk factors, 11% of recipients of blood or blood products, and 8% with unknown or multiple risk factors. Refusal was not associated with economic factors. Nondisclosure of HIV-seropositivity to their current dentist was reported by 13% of respondents. No respondents attending hospitals or health units reported nondisclosure, compared with 18% of respondents attending private dental offices (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: More research is required with a larger sample to improve generalizability and to permit subgroup analysis.