title: 'This was something that happened to someone else'--an HIV positive dentist explains.
abstract: In this article, prompted by the Editorial and Opinion piece in the October 21 issue of the BDJ (BDJ 2006; 201: 485, 497-499), the writer, an HIV positive GDP of 28 years experience, expresses graphically and cogently his experiences following his diagnosis in 2004 and the subsequent loss of his chosen occupation. In general the BDJ does not publish anonymous contributions, but in this case, for obvious reasons of confidentiality, we have chosen to do so, also in deference to the courage of this colleague in sharing his harrowing story.
mesh_terms: D003657:Decision Making; D003812:Dentist-Patient Relations; D003815:Dentists / Q000523:psychology*; D030881:Disclosure; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D017757:Infectious Disease Transmission, Professional-to-Patient / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007348:Insurance, Health; D008297:Male; D011287:Prejudice; D006113:United Kingdom