Abstract:
South Africa is ranked as the country with largest number of people living with the
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in the world. Oral health care workers have a
role to play in the national response to the HIV epidemic through the provision of quality
oral health services. The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge, attitudes and
practices of oral hygienists and dental therapists on HIV/AIDS. A total of 1160
questionnaires were mailed to 831 oral hygienists and 329 dental therapists registered
with the Health Professionals Council of South Africa in 2000. The questionnaire
covered: demographic factors; general and oral health-specific HIV/AIDS knowledge;
attitudes towards HIV/AIDS patients; infection control practices and ethical/legal issues.
The response rate was 27.4% (n=318), 255 oral hygienists and 63 dental therapists.
Overall, respondents in this study illustrated sound knowledge on oral manifestations of
HIV/AIDS and modes of transmission of the virus although 10% reported that the virus
could be transmitted through mosquito bites and 25% agreed that HIV could be
transmitted via saliva. Respondents reported compliance with basic infection control
practices although 35% did not agree that infection control measures that protect against
the hepatitis B virus could provide adequate protection against HIV. In addition 73.8% of
the respondents reported that additional infection control measures must be taken in the
treatment of HIV/AIDS patients in the dental surgery.
The results of this study indicate a need for continuous HIV professional education of
oral hygienists and dental therapists in order to improve the quality of care provided to
HIV infected patients.
