Evaluation of dental students' knowledge and patient care towards HIV/AIDS individuals

The aim was to evaluate the knowledge of the students of dental students regarding patients care towards HIV positive individuals.

Two hundred and eighty-three dental students (pre-clinical, n = 45; clinical, n = 238) answered an electronic questionnaire, approaching biosafety procedures, oral manifestations of AIDS and knowledge of HIV infection. Data were present as an average from findings from students of nine different semesters, grouping them by pre-clinical (1-4) and clinical (5-9) semesters, from two different university campuses. Furthermore, data were analysed using the t test and chi-square test.

Students' mean age was 24 years. Amongst 14 oral manifestations questioned, Kaposi sarcoma, oral candidiasis, necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis and herpes simplex were more associated with HIV. Over 90% of the respondents would be concerned about becoming infected with HIV after a needle stick injury and were willing to be tested for HIV; know that HIV/AIDS patients can contaminate dental care professionals, that needle perforation can transmit HIV, and that medical professionals are more prone to cross-contamination. Regarding the use of physical barrier, almost all participants use disposable mask, goggles, cap and procedure gloves with all patients; the use of disposable lab coat and two pairs of gloves were the least used with all patients.

Participating students have good knowledge on biosafety in the management of HIV/AIDS patients, as well as on the most commonly associated oral manifestations. However, there is a need for improvement on some topics related to HIV/AIDS, especially regarding less known oral lesions, and HIV diagnostic tests.