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Biomedical subjects

E G Grace

Publications and source records attributed to E G Grace.

28 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Changes in public concern about transmission of AIDS from dentist to patient after CDC report.

This study was conducted to examine the impact on the public of a report from the Centers for Disease Control of the possible transmission of AIDS from a Florida dentist to his patient. Differences in the findings between two identical telephone surveys conducted approximately five months apart are reported. The second survey occurred approximately three months following the CDC report. The response rates to spring and fall 1990 surveys were 68.9 percent and 69.9 percent, respectively. Approximately 60 percent of the respondents to the fall survey reported that they had read or heard of the incident. Public concern about the transmission of AIDS in the dental office increased significantly following the CDC report. This concern was expressed in a decreased willingness to remain in the practice of dentists infected with AIDS or those who treated infected patients. In addition, respondents to the fall survey were less respectful of provider and patient confidentiality.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Patients' perceptions related to the use of infection control procedures.

An assessment was made of the public's attitudes toward infection control techniques utilized in dentistry. Five hundred and nine adults in the State of Maryland responded to a detailed telephone survey in late 1989. Respondents reported that most of their dentists (87.0%) wore gloves and 69.8% of the respondents preferred gloves. Respondents who were most concerned about AIDS also preferred the dentist to wear gloves (92.6%). Respondents received information about AIDS from various sources, chief of which were newspapers or magazines (29.0%) and television (27.3%) but 80.9% would read pamphlets on AIDS if they were available in the dentist's office. Finally, few (13.1%) had ever discussed AIDS with their dentist but most (78.6%) would be comfortable doing so. This study demonstrated that the public accepts and welcomes the use of barrier protection by dentists. The public also is willing to discuss AIDS and infectious diseases with dentists and would read AIDS information supplied by dentists. Given the continued spread of the AIDS epidemic, it is increasingly important for dentists to educate the public about AIDS as well as about the continued safety of the dental office. The public is receptive to this education.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Dentists' attitudes toward mandatory screening of dental personnel for infectious diseases and the continued practice of infected dental personnel.

The issues surrounding mandatory screening of dental personnel for infectious diseases and the rights of infected dental personnel to continue to practice are beginning to receive greater attention. In order to examine Maryland dentists' attitudes on these issues, a mail survey of all Maryland dentists was conducted. Approximately half of all respondents favored mandatory screening for acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and hepatitis for any dental personnel with direct patient contact. The majority of respondents did not believe that dentists or auxiliaries with AIDS or hepatitis should be permitted to treat patients. Approximately 31% of the respondents favored continued practice for dentists with hepatitis, while 21% believed dentists with AIDS should be allowed to continue to treat patients. In general, more recent graduates were less likely to favor mandatory screening and were more likely to favor the continued practice of infected dentists. Additionally, those respondents who were willing to treat patients with AIDS or hepatitis were less likely to favor mandatory screening and more likely to favor the continued practice of infected dental personnel. It is important for the profession to begin a dialogue to determine if there is a need for criteria for mandatory screening and guidelines for the continued practice of infected dental personnel.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗