Dental Students’ Perceptions on Patients with HIV or Hepatitis B Infection

Background: Dentists see many patients with undiagnosed or diagnosed HIV and Hepatitis B infection, posing threat to both doctor and patients. The aim of this study was to investigate dental students’ knowledge, awareness and attitude towards HIV and Hepatitis B patients.
Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was given to 164 clinical dental students in Kuala lumpur.
Findings: A significant percentage (49%) of the students did not know that HBV is transmitted via saliva. Female students were consistently more knowledgeable and had positive attitude towards such patients. Students had sufficient knowledge about the importance of double-gloving (69%). They displayed in consistent knowledge about the difference in infection potential of HBV and HIV. Most students (87.3%) were aware of the possibility of accidental exposure during recapping needles and spraying biological material but they were not aware about other accidental exposures. 87% students agreed that they require more training to treat patients with HIV or HBV.88.3% students considered all patients potentially infectious and agreed (80.3%) to treat such patients in future only under close clinical supervision. Fewer students agreed to voluntarily serve at an HIV or HBV specialist center (30.6%).
Conclusion: The level of knowledge and awareness of dental students about HIV and HBV was not sufficient, which renders them to danger of contracting infection while performing clinical procedures. Although a majority of the students had good knowledge, only few had professional attitudes about treating patients with HIV/HBV. Most were in favor of receiving more training to treat these patients efficiently.