In order to assess dentists' willingness to treat patients with histories of three types of infectious disease, HIV infection, hepatitis B, and TB, a mail survey of a representative sample of active dental general practitioners (DGPs) in private practice in New York City was conducted during the summer of 1999. The sample was randomly drawn from the American Dental Association master file. Mail questionnaires were returned by 389 DGPs (response rate=67%). Rates of willingness, as measured by strong agreement with a statement expressing willingness to treat the patient in question in the dental office, ranged from 53% for an asymptomatic HIV+ patient of record (POR), 49% for a POR with a history of hepatitis B, to 39% for a new patient with a history of TB. Nearly 75% of DGPs expressed agreement with the statement that the private office is a suitable location for treating patients with a history of hepatitis B, while 63% of DGPs agreed with this statement for HIV+ patients and for patients with a history of TB. Data were also collected on subjects' past experience treating such patients, patient attributes, practice neighborhood characteristics, and perceived level of risk associated with treating such patients. Data analyses confirm the presence of complex multivariate relations and differential effects in the explanation of DGPs' willingness to treat patients with histories of these forms of infectious disease.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the presentation, the participant should know 1) current rates of dentists' willingness to treat three types of infectious disease patients: patients with histories of hepatitis B, TB, and HIV infection, 2) be able to compare these rates with previously published rates of willingness to treat such patient types, 3) be able to identify several factors influencing dentists' relative willingness/unwillingness to treat such patients, and 4) be able to discuss the implications of these factors for the design of interventions aimed at increasing dentists' willingness to treat infectious disease patients
Keywords: Infectious Diseases, Access to Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.