title: Dentists practising in Lothian treat HIV seropositive patients: is this a resolution of conflict or a case of Hobson's choice?
abstract: Dentists are now required to treat HIV-positive patients in their practices. Dentists working in high HIV prevalence areas treat HIV seropositive patients but what affects this treatment decision? The aim of this study is to investigate the role of conflict with regard to treatment decisions. All 371 dentists practising in Lothian were sent a questionnaire. Two hundred and fifteen questionnaires were returned giving a valid response rate of 60%. The findings of this study would support the view that dentists are able to use their scientific knowledge which reduces anxieties and assists in the resolution of their conflict with regard to the treatment of HIV seropositive patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Queen's University of Belfast.
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Freeman
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D003657:Decision Making; D017742:Dental Care for Chronically Ill; D003815:Dentists; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000523:psychology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D008297:Male