Dentists’ Knowledge of HIV Infection

Anketiranjem 135 stomatologa pokušali smo objektivno ustanoviti znanje stomatologa o HIV infekciji. Anketni upitnik sastojao se od 21 pitanja koja su se odnosila na opće znanje o HIV infekciji, riziku liječenja oboljelih, voljnosti liječenja HIV bolesnika, te o kontroli i zaštiti od infekcije u stomatološkoj ordinaciji. Začuđuje činjenica da samo 40% anketiranih stomatologa zna osnovne informacije o HIV-u, te da 50% anketiranih stomatologa pri liječenju upotrebljava zaštitne maske, rukavice i naočale. Stomatolozi precjenjuju rizik od HIV infekcije 49%. Više od 55% ispitanih stomatologa voljno je liječiti oboljele od HIV-a. Rezultati ankete pokazuju nedostatnu obavještenost stomatologa o HIV infekciji, te o zaštiti i kontroli od infekcija koje se prenose krvlju. To pokazuje da su potrebna dodatna dodiplomska i poslijediplomska usavršavanja.A survey, which consisted of 21 questions, was conducted during 1999/2000 on 135 dentists in Croatia. Our aim was to objectify dentists’ knowledge of HIV infection. A questionnaire was divided into four groups, as following: general knowledge of HIV, protection and infection control, risks while treating HIV infected patients, and willingness to treat HIV infected patients. Only 40% of surveyed dentists know basic facts of HIV, oral manifestations and modes of transmission, and 50% of all surveyed dentists use protective masks, gloves and eyewear. More than 49% overestimate risks while treating HIV infected patients. More than 55% of all surveyed dentists are willing to treat HIV infected patients. Results of this survey show informational gaps in dentists’ knowledge of HIV infection and highlights the need for additional lectures on HIV infection