Since the time of Dr Acer, the introduction of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) has led to a dramatic decline in morbidity and mortality among patients infected with HIV. 14 In the United Kingdom, HIV/AIDS has been transformed from being a fatal disease to a chronic illness. 15 Antiretroviral therapy can reduce HIV type 1 viraemia to below the detection limit of ultra sensitive clinical assays (50 copies of HIV-1 RNA/ml). 16,17 Viral load is the chief predictor of risk of heterosexual transmission of HIV-1 and it is known that transmission is rare among persons with levels of less than 1,500 copies of HIV-1 RNA per millilitre. 18 Recent studies support the non-transmissibility of the disease from individuals effectively treated with ant-retrovirals. 19,20 The 2009 Beijing Declaration supports the view that oral healthcare professionals with HIV do not pose a risk of transmission to patients in the dental setting, providing: • The individual is under ongoing care by a suitably qualified HIV health care professional • The individual remains aware of his/ her health status and acts appropriately • Standard infection control is observed • Scientific evidence related to HIV transmission continues to be reviewed. 21 Some European countries now allow HIV positive dentists to work. 22 The current UKAP guidelines are under review, 23