An Innovative HIV Training Program for Dental Students

Abstract

Dentists need to be able to give people with HIV/AIDS compassionate and comprehensive care. Previous studies have shown that many dental students have negative attitudes towards treating such individuals. This article addresses the effectiveness of a program that trains dental students in the issues of treating this population. All predoctoral students at the Loma Linda University School of Dentistry are required to receive this training. Students complete a pre-session survey during their third year and a post-session survey as they complete the training during their fourth year. The survey was administered from 2003 to 2009 during which 386 students completed responses to the post-session survey. Five questions in the survey address self-evaluation of knowledge, attitudes, and confidence in the efficacy of universal precautions and post-exposure prophylaxis following bloodborne exposures. This study reports on five two-year testing cycles and shows significant shifts in all five areas surveyed. The most significant gains were in the two areas that are not addressed in much detail in other courses in the dental school curriculum. These are familiarity with post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and confidence in the efficacy of PEP. These data support the usefulness of such a program in preparing future dentists to deliver appropriate care to persons living with HIV/

Stigma towards clients in HIV/AIDS care settings

“…Similar results were found by Rogers et al which indicated an increase in comfort and attitude among dental students working with PLWH after specialized training for working with PLWH. [37] While the literature indicates the presence of behaviors such as those measured by HAPSI, [2,3] the current sample revealed no such trend. The majority of the literature focused on the presence of these behaviors in clinicians has been conducted in the developing world.…”

Screening for substance misuse in the dental care setting: findings from a nationally representative survey of dentists

“…Training programs for dentists and dental students have been implemented to include evidence‐based techniques in such areas as motivational interviewing, smoking cessation counseling, dental treatment of HIV+ patients and early detection of child abuse and neglect. These have been accompanied by documented changes in dentists’ confidence, behaviors and practices . Within the medical community, brief training for medical residents in the management of substance misuse has shown improvements in substance misuse inquiry, due notably to increased provider confidence and treatment optimism .…”

HIV/AIDS: dental assistants’ self-reported knowledge and attitudes in Kuwait

“…Surveys were distributed and students evaluated their knowledge and attitudes in applying infection control and postexposure prophylaxis following any exposure to the virus. After the programme concluded, there was a significant increase in the students' knowledge of and attitudes towards patients with HIV/AIDS. This demonstrates that an intervention can yield positive results regarding the course of action that should be taken should transmission of the virus occur.…”