Dentists refused to treat patient who had virus

MORE than three-quarters of dentists who were asked to treat a patient who had the Aids virus refused, it was revealed yesterday.

A survey reported in the medical journal the Lancet found prejudice among dentists who refused to treat the 25-year-old man when they were told that he was HIV positive.

The dentists' reaction was condemned by the General Dental Council and the World Health Organisation, which both state that it is 'the ethical responsibility of dentists to provide care for HIV-infected patients'.

In the study, researchers from Bristol University, led by Dr Stephen Porter from the department of oral medicine, asked the man to phone 100 dentists seeking treatment for toothache.

Before he claimed that he was HIV positive, 51 dentists gave him an appointment. But after he announced that he had contracted the Aids virus, all but 12 dental practices refused to see him.

The appointments were cancelled by the dentist in 29 practices and by the receptionist in 10.

Dr Porter said: 'There was an initial ready acceptance in all of the 51 practices.

'However, once his HIV status was revealed, only about a quarter of the practices remained willing to provide dental treatment.

'Just under half immediately refused all treatment, and one-third advised that he attend a dental hospital or other practitioner.

'The WHO, the GDC and others are clear that the dentist has an ethical responsibility to provide dental care to HIV-infected patients.

'It seems that there is a need for a reappraisal by the professions of their responsibilities in health care,' he said.