Dental Students’ HIV/AIDS‐Related Knowledge, Attitudes, and Intentions: Impact of the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration's Community‐Based Dental Partnership Program

Abstract

Access to oral health care for vulnerable populations is one of the concerns addressed by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration HIV/AIDS Bureau's Community-Based Dental Partnership Program (CBDPP). The program introduces dental students and residents at several dental schools to care for vulnerable patients through didactic and clinical work in community-based dental settings. This study of the dental students and residents in this program answered three questions: 1) What are their HIV knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors? 2) How has participation in the CBDPP impacted their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors? 3) Has the intervention affected their work placement decisions and attitudes after graduation, particularly with respect to treating people living with HIV and other underserved populations? A total of 305 irst-through fourth-year dental students and irst-and second-year residents at ive dental schools across the United States completed surveys before and after a community-based rotation and following graduation. Response rates at each of the ive schools ranged from 82.4 to 100 percent. The results showed an increase in the participants' knowledge and positive attitudes regarding treatment for patients with HIV and other vulnerable populations post-rotation compared to pre-rotation. Results after graduation found that most respondents were practicing in private settings or in academic institutions as residents but were willing to treat a diverse patient population. These indings support the role of training programs, such as the CBDPP, for expanding the dental workforce to treating vulnerable populations including people living with HIV/AIDS.

Extramural oral health educational program involving individuals with disabilities: Impact on dental students’ professionalism

“…[ 18 19 ] Improvement of dental students’ comfort and attitudes toward managing individuals with special needs following an extramural educational program found in other studies further justifies the effectiveness of such learning approach in preparing future dental graduates for providing care to this expanding group of patients. [ 20 21 ]…”

HIV testing in the dental setting: perspectives and practices of experienced dental professionals

“…Health education campaigns that continue to demonstrate both dental provider and patient acceptance may help support more universal implementation (Dietz, Ablah, Reznik, & Robbins, 2008; Durall, Enciso, Rhee, & Mulligan, 2015; Nassry et al, 2012; VanDevanter et al, 2012). Also, opportunities for training in rapid HIV testing may influence dentists’ practices and attitudes (Hamershock et al, 2014; Mulligan, Seirawan, Galligan, & Lemme, 2006; Natto, Aladmawy, & Rogers, 2015; Pollack et al, 2014; Rogers et al, 2011). Furthermore, greater involvement of the dental community in inter-professional educational programs with medical disciplines (AIDS Education & Training Center Program, 2016; Midwest AIDS Training and Education Center, 2015) may enhance HIV knowledge and provide accessible follow-up resources.…”

Evaluation of the Knowledge of the Dentists and the Students of the Faculty of Dentistry in Relation to the Hiv / Aids and Their Approaches to the Patients

“…Similar studies were conducted by Rose et al in Yeditepe University by Günbatan et al and by Clement Chinedu Azodo et al in Nigeria. 2,14,15 One of the most important routes of transmission of the disease is by means of blood. The infection is carried out in three ways: parenteral, percutaneous and inoculation.…”