The effect of an HIV/AIDS educational program on the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of dental professionals.

The Pacific AIDS Education and Training Center (PAETC) developed and tested over time a curriculum to meet the changed HIV/AIDS-related needs of dental health professionals. The objective of this study was to evaluate the HIV-related knowledge, attitudes/beliefs, and behaviors among the participants of a CE training course based on this curriculum, both before and six weeks after the completion of the course. The project recruited 106 participants who were dental health professionals over a ten and a half year period (1992-2003). The dental participants consisted of 79 percent dentists and 21 percent dental hygienists or dental assistants. The sample was 67 percent male, 33 percent female, 45 percent Caucasian, and 24 percent Asian. An adapted questionnaire was used before and after the training to assess the educational needs of the participants and evaluate the success of the program in meeting those needs. Approximately 81 percent of the participants completed both questionnaires. After the course, the participants significantly changed their knowledge, attitudes/beliefs, and behaviors (65 percent, 86 percent, 55 percent respectively, all at p=.0001). Overall, the educational program was successful in increasing and promoting the HIV/AIDS-related knowledge and attitudes/beliefs of the participants and enhancing their commitment to infection control and HIV risk screening behaviors.