Willingness of dentists in Jordan to treat HIV-infected patients.
Reluctance of dentists to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive patients represents a major concern. Many efforts have been extended towards the documentation of the extent of this reluctance and speculation of factors that influence it.


OBJECTIVE
Assess the willingness of dentists in Jordan to treat HIV-infected patients.


METHODS
Two hundred and forty-two general dental practices were surveyed for their willingness to provide treatment of toothache and routine dental care of an HIV-infected individual.


RESULTS
Only 15% of the dental practices were willing to provide such care. Willingness to provide treatment did not seem to be influenced by financial factors or the local prevalence of HIV disease.


CONCLUSIONS
Present data suggest that HIV-infected individuals will have difficulty in obtaining dental health care in Jordan.
El-Maaytah
M
M
Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Medical, Surgical and Diagnostic Services, Eastman Dental Institute for Oral Health Care Sciences, London, UK. elmaaytah@hotmail.com
Al Kayed
A
A
Al Qudah
M
M
Al Ahmad
H
H
Moutasim
K
K
Al-Dabbagh
K
K
Jerjes
W
W
Al Khawalde
M
M
Abu Hammad
O
O
Dar Odeh
N
N
El-Maaytah
K
K
Al Shmailan
Y
Y
Porter
S
S
Scully
C
C
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D017742:Dental Care for Chronically Ill / Q000523:psychology*; D003815:Dentists / Q000523:psychology*; D005792:General Practice, Dental; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007597:Jordan; D016079:Refusal to Treat