OBJECTIVES: To normalize rapid human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing in the United States, expanded rapid HIV testing initiatives are needed outside the routine medical setting. The dental setting is a logical choice as almost two-thirds of Americans regularly see a dental provider each year. This study was aimed to determine the dental hygienists' knowledge of HIV, attitudes towards people living with HIV and willingness to conduct rapid HIV testing. METHODS: A national cross-sectional survey of practicing dental hygienists and senior dental hygiene students were recruited using state dental hygiene associations, email LISTSERVS, dental hygiene programmes and continuing education conferences (n = 634). RESULTS: The mean knowledge score was 10.5/13. High versus low test-scorers (75% of test questions or more answered correctly versus less than 75% answered correctly) did differ in their comfort level in counselling about sexual HIV prevention methods (P = 0.03) and comfort level in working with medically compromised patients (P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Dental hygienists, with additional training in HIV prevention counseling and diagnostic testing, may be an appropriate profession to conduct rapid HIV testing.
OBJECTIVES: To normalize rapid human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing in the United States, expanded rapid HIV testing initiatives are needed outside the routine medical setting. The dental setting is a logical choice as almost two-thirds of Americans regularly see a dental provider each year. This study was aimed to determine the dental hygienists' knowledge of HIV, attitudes towards people living with HIV and willingness to conduct rapid HIV testing. METHODS: A national cross-sectional survey of practicing dental hygienists and senior dental hygiene students were recruited using state dental hygiene associations, email LISTSERVS, dental hygiene programmes and continuing education conferences (n = 634). RESULTS: The mean knowledge score was 10.5/13. High versus low test-scorers (75% of test questions or more answered correctly versus less than 75% answered correctly) did differ in their comfort level in counselling about sexual HIV prevention methods (P = 0.03) and comfort level in working with medically compromised patients (P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Dental hygienists, with additional training in HIV prevention counseling and diagnostic testing, may be an appropriate profession to conduct rapid HIV testing.
Authors: Harold A Pollack; Margaret Pereyra; Carrigan L Parish; Stephen Abel; Shari Messinger; Richard Singer; Carol Kunzel; Barbara Greenberg; Barbara Gerbert; Michael Glick; Lisa R Metsch Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2014-03-13 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Saba Kassim; Badr Othman; Sakher AlQahtani; Alemad Mustafa Kawthar; Sterling M McPherson; Barbara L Greenberg Journal: BMC Oral Health Date: 2019-08-06 Impact factor: 2.757
Authors: Rakkoo Chung; Shu-Yin John Leung; Stephen N Abel; Michael N Hatton; Yanfang Ren; Jeffrey Seiver; Carol Sloane; Howard Lavigne; Travis O'Donnell; Laura O'Shea Journal: PLoS One Date: 2020-04-16 Impact factor: 3.240