AIDS and infection control: Dutch dental hygienists surveyed

A sample of all dental hygienists practicing in the Netherlands besides Amsterdam (n = 669) and all dental hygienists practicing in Amsterdam (n = 118) were sent a questionnaire to assess the extent of compliance with the Dutch Health Council's guidelines to prevent HIV transmission in dental practices. The response rate was 64%, Gloves, masks and spectacles were widely used. Use of disposable parts of the three-way syringes, medical dishwasher, sterilizable handles and sterilizable three-way syringes was insufficient. Disinfection was too often preferred to sterilization. Compliance with the guidelines was not related to the size of the city of practice. Amsterdam hygienists did not comply better than hygienists not from Amsterdam. One third of the respondents asked questions to assess whether a patient was HIV seropositive. Evidently, the view of the Dutch Health Council that knowledge of seropositivity is not necessary, was not shared by a substantial part of the hygienists. Fear of infection appeared to be negatively related to experience in treating HIV-seropositive patients and, indirectly, to perceived knowledge about AIDS.