title: Dental and oral hygiene student's knowledge of HIV infection and AIDS.
abstract: A survey was conducted to assess the knowledge of 30 oral hygiene (OH I & II) and 79 dental students (BCHD III & VI) on HIV infection and AIDS. A questionnaire consisting of twenty-nine questions based on the 'agree-disagree' format was prepared for this study. Clinical slides were projected to assess students' ability to identify oral manifestations of HIV infection. Most students agreed that HIV-sero-positive people were entitled to the same dignity and respect as those who were suffering from other illnesses. Students were concerned about treating sero-positive patients. They would preferably receive training in the management of these patients in a controlled environment. They had a poor perception of the risk of infection following needle-stick injury and whether HIV could be transmitted through contact with saliva. Most students felt that they had insufficient lectures on HIV/AIDS and had practically no clinical exposure to HIV-sero-positive patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Hartshorne
authors.forename: I L
authors.initials: IL
authors.lastname: Carstens
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Engelbrecht
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hattingh
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy / Q000635:transmission; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017742:Dental Care for Chronically Ill; D003756:Dental Hygienists / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D019552:Infection Control, Dental; D013019:South Africa; D013335:Students, Dental / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013336:Students, Health Occupations / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires