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Dentists' Reactions to a Centers for Disease Control Report

Barbara Gerbert, PhD; Thomas Bleecker, PhD; Cara Miyasaki, MS; Bryan T. Maguire, PhD

JAMA. 1991;265(14):1845-1848.

Abstract
On July 27, 1990, the Centers for Disease Control reported possible transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from a dentist to a patient as a result of patient care. We surveyed a random national probability sample of 300 dentists with a 26-item survey in August and September 1990 to assess reactions to the report (response rate, 59%). Respondents tended not to believe the report (mean was 3.2, median 3.0, where 1 indicated "do not believe" and 7 indicated "believe"). Our sample also tended to believe that transmission of HIV from dentists to patients was unlikely in the future (mean was 2.0, median 2.0, where 1 indicated "not at all likely" and 7 indicated "very likely"). Fifty-one percent of our sample recommended that dentists infected with HIV should discontinue practice, while 38% recommended continuing practice with changes in procedures. Seventy-four percent believed patients should be told if their dentist was infected with HIV. In summary, dentists doubted the possibility of dentist-to-patient transmission of HIV and did not believe the Centers for Disease Control case report, but they did believe infected dentists should refrain from clinical work or modify their practice.

(JAMA. 1991;265:1845-1848)

Author Affiliations
From the Division of Behavioral Sciences, Department of Dental Public Health and Hygiene, School of Dentistry, and the Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California, San Francisco. Dr Maguire is currently affiliated with the Department of Psychology, University of Wales, Bangor, Great Britain.

Footnotes
Reprint requests to Division of Behavioral Sciences, Department of Dental Public Health and Hygiene, School of Dentistry, University of California, 707 Parnassus, Room D1012, San Francisco, CA 94143-0754 (Dr Gerbert).

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