Changing dentists' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors relating to AIDS: a controlled educational intervention.
The efficacy of an educational intervention designed to improve dentists' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors about acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) was tested. The intervention had three components: computerized feedback comparing participants' own knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors with those of fellow participants and with an ideal; periodic bulletins; and telephone conference calls with experts. The group receiving the educational package had better scores than a control group on outcomes of willingness to treat persons with AIDS; identification of human immunodeficiency virus lesions; knowledge of AIDS; and completeness of both intraoral and extraoral examinations. It was concluded that intervention is one approach to increasing dentists' positive response to the AIDS epidemic.
Gerbert
B
B
Department of Dental Public Health and Hygiene, School of Dentistry, University of California, San Francisco 94143-0754.
Maguire
B
B
Badner
V
V
Greenspan
D
D
Greenspan
J
J
Barnes
D
D
Carlton
R
R
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003730:Dental Care for Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology; D003815:Dentists; D005246:Feedback; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods