The realization that patients can be HIV positive, yet clinically well, drove the adoption of current cross infection measures used in dental practice in the United Kingdom.
The majority of patients who are HIV positive can be treated safely in general dental practice. Have a look at HIVdent.
These patients should not be discriminated against.
It is unethical to refuse to treat patients soley because they are HIV positive.
It is also illogical as some HIV patients:
Have not been diagnosed as being HIV positive.
Will not declare to you that they are HIV positive.
In the dental surgery, the risk of transmission to the dental team is negligible in the absence of Inoculation Injuries.
Know what to do if an Inoculation Injury occurs.
The dental team form a very important part of the overall team caring for patients who are HIV positive:
It is essential that good oral health is established whilst the patient is in the asymptomatic phase prior to development of AIDS.
The oral care of patients with AIDS is often more complex:
Appropriate referral is then warranted, although it may still be possible to provide dental treatment in the general dental practice after an expert opinion has been obtained.
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