Have dentists assimilated information about AIDS?

A random sample of 396 general dentists, oral surgeons, and periodontists in Los Angeles was interviewed in fall 1986. The purpose was to determine their experience in treating patients infected with HIV, factors associated with their knowledge about signs and symptoms of AIDS, and their sources of information regarding AIDS. The results showed that one-third of the dentists reported treating a known or suspected AIDS patient and that 56 percent indicated that they would not or could not treat patients with AIDS. Dentists displayed little knowledge of the oral and systemic signs and symptoms of AIDS. They reported professional journals, continuing education, and the popular press as the sources of information regarding AIDS that they found most useful. Yet those who reported attending continuing education were found to have only slightly greater knowledge of diagnostic signs. After two or more reported lectures on AIDS, 31 percent still named no oral signs and symptoms of AIDS.