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State dental boards and mandatory HIV testing.
A J DiAngelis1, D O Born, A J Hill
1Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Northwest Dentistry
|September 1, 1992
Summary
State dental boards are slowly developing policies on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status. While few currently have strict testing or restrictions, more are anticipated amid public scrutiny.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Medical Regulation
- Infectious Disease Policy
Background:
- Increasing public and professional debate surrounds regulatory actions for dentists concerning Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status.
- Concerns exist regarding the adequacy of current policies and the preparedness of state regulatory agencies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess existing policies and future considerations of state dental boards regarding HIV status and relicensure requirements.
- To understand the extent to which state boards are implementing or planning to implement HIV-related regulations for dentists.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive telephone survey was conducted with all state dental regulatory boards.
- All boards participated, with three providing limited information.
Main Results:
- As of early 1992, only two state boards required Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) immunity evidence for relicensure; none required HIV seronegativity.
- Twelve percent of boards anticipated requiring HIV status evidence for relicensure within two years.
- No boards mandated HIV testing, but 13 percent anticipated such requirements in the near future.
Conclusions:
- Few state dental boards had rigorous HIV testing or restriction policies in place as of early 1992.
- Most boards are aware of increased public scrutiny and are likely to implement more restrictions.
- Future policies will aim to balance public safety with the rights and responsibilities of dental professionals.