Attitudes, Knowledge and Infection Control Practice in Japanese Dentist

Objectives:The aim of this study is to explore factors influencing attitudes towards HIV infected patients, knowledge related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/universal precautions, and infection control practices (ICPs) in Japanese dentists, and to analyze the relationship between attitude toward HIV infected patients and knowledge related to HIV/universal precautions, and infection control practices in the population of Japanese dentists. Methods:Data on attitudes towards HIV infected patients, knowledge related to HIV/universal precautions, and ICPs were obtained from 3316 dentists in Aichi prefecture, Japan, through a questionnaire which was then statistically analyzed. Results:Overall, age of 49 years and younger, specialist in oral surgery, seeing 36 or more patient per day were positive significant predictors for attitudes towards HIV infected patients, knowledge related to HIV/ universal precautions, and ICPs. Those aged 49 years and younger were more likely to report desirable responses in all attitude items than older dentists. Those seeing 36 and more patient per day were more likely to report desirable ICPs in all but one item than those seeing 35 or less. In addition to being younger, specialty in oral surgery and seeing 36 and more patient per day, having a higher knowledge index were significantly, positive associating factors for higher infection control practice index. Conclusions: Dentists who are younger, have specialty in oral surgery or seeing more patients per day showed positive attitudes for dental care provision toward HIV infected patients, higher knowledge related to HIV/universal precautions and better compliance for ICPs. Knowledge related to HIV/ universal precautions was positively related to ICPs.