Empathy in Dental Care: Students and HIV+ Patient

Dental Students and HIV: Bridging the Gap in Care

Q: What were the key findings regarding dental students' attitudes towards HIV+ patients in the Santiago de Cali, Colombia study?

The study in Santiago de Cali, Colombia, revealed several key findings. A significant majority of dental students, between 86% and 92%, demonstrated positive attitudes toward treating HIV+ patients. Over 88% of the students expressed a willingness to treat these patients, with preclinical students exhibiting the most favorable disposition. However, the study also highlighted concerns, such as the potential difficulty for auxiliary staff to accept treating HIV+ patients, influencing the likelihood of proceeding with treatment. Furthermore, many students felt they had not received adequate training in managing HIV/AIDS patients, particularly those in the final clinical and preclinical groups. These findings underscore the importance of addressing misconceptions and enhancing training to improve care for individuals living with HIV/AIDS.

Q: How does the perceived lack of training impact dental students' preparedness to treat HIV+ patients, as shown in the study?

The perceived lack of adequate training significantly impacts the preparedness of dental students to treat HIV+ patients. A substantial number of students, particularly in the final clinical (66.7%) and preclinical (82.2%) groups, reported feeling underprepared. This lack of training contributes to potential gaps in knowledge about HIV transmission, biosecurity protocols, and the management of HIV+ patients. These gaps can lead to hesitation or reluctance to treat these patients, as students may feel unsure about how to handle specific clinical situations or how to protect themselves and their staff. Consequently, enhancing training programs to address these deficiencies is crucial for improving students' confidence and ability to provide appropriate and timely dental care.

Q: What biosecurity concerns and misconceptions were identified among the dental students regarding HIV transmission?

The study assessed dental students' understanding of HIV transmission and biosecurity measures. While most students recognized that HIV is not transmitted through saliva, a notable percentage still held this misconception. This indicates a gap in their understanding of the virus's transmission routes and the importance of adhering to strict biosecurity protocols. Furthermore, a significant number of students admitted they would not treat all patients as if they were HIV-positive, indicating potential lapses in the consistent application of universal precautions. These findings highlight the need for enhanced education on proper biosecurity practices and the importance of treating all patients with the same level of precaution to prevent the spread of infections.

Q: What specific interventions are suggested to improve dental students' approach to treating HIV+ patients?

The study underscores the importance of several interventions to improve dental students' approach to treating HIV+ patients. Firstly, the study suggests implementing enhanced training programs that specifically address misconceptions about HIV transmission, management, and biosecurity protocols. These programs should provide updated information and practical skills to dispel fears and increase students' confidence. Secondly, promoting greater interaction with HIV+ patients during academic training is recommended. This can help students develop a more compassionate and inclusive approach to dental care, reducing stigma and fostering a better understanding of the patients' needs. Finally, ensuring strict adherence to universal precautions is essential to protect both the students and the patients. These combined efforts are aimed at creating a more supportive and effective environment for dental care.

Q: What role does societal stigma and negative attitudes play in the context of providing dental care to HIV+ patients in Colombia?

Societal stigma and negative attitudes among healthcare professionals, including dental professionals, can create significant barriers to care for individuals living with HIV/AIDS in Colombia. Negative perceptions can lead to discrimination, avoidance of treatment, or a lower quality of care. This can affect patients' willingness to seek dental care, impacting their oral health and overall well-being. Furthermore, negative attitudes can create a stressful environment for both patients and healthcare providers, potentially leading to communication breakdowns and a lack of trust. The study highlights the need to address these attitudes and foster a more compassionate and inclusive approach to dental care through education, training, and improved awareness of HIV/AIDS to ensure all individuals receive the quality oral healthcare they deserve.

Beau Callahan in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Uncover the attitudes of future dentists towards treating HIV+ patients and how training can transform their approach."

In Colombia, the increasing prevalence of HIV/AIDS presents a significant public health challenge. While multidisciplinary efforts aim to provide comprehensive care, negative attitudes among healthcare professionals and societal stigma can undermine these initiatives, affecting the quality of care for those living with HIV/AIDS.

Oral health is integral to overall well-being, particularly for individuals with HIV/AIDS. Ensuring access to appropriate and timely dental treatment can substantially improve their quality of life. However, negative attitudes and perceptions among dental professionals can create barriers to care.

A study was conducted to assess the attitudes of dental students in Santiago de Cali, Colombia, toward managing patients with HIV/AIDS. This research seeks to identify gaps in training and address misconceptions, ultimately promoting greater access to quality dental care for this vulnerable population.

Understanding Dental Students' Perspectives on HIV+ Patients

Empathy in Dental Care: Students and HIV+ Patient

A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 1,173 dental students from three dental schools in Santiago de Cali, Colombia. The students were categorized into preclinical, initial clinical, and final clinical groups. Data was collected through anonymous questionnaires assessing their attitudes, knowledge, beliefs, and biosecurity practices related to treating patients with HIV.

Key findings from the study revealed:

Positive Attitudes: A significant majority (86% to 92%) of students demonstrated positive attitudes toward treating HIV+ patients.
Willingness to Treat: Over 88% expressed a willingness to treat HIV+ patients, with preclinical students showing the most favorable disposition (p=0.03).
Concerns about Auxiliary Staff: Among students who believed it would be difficult for their auxiliary staff to accept treating HIV+ patients, only 33% were likely to proceed with treatment (p=0.03).
Perceived Lack of Training: A substantial number of students, particularly in the final clinical (66.7%) and preclinical (82.2%) groups, felt they had not received adequate training in managing HIV/AIDS patients (p<0.001).

The study also explored the students’ understanding of HIV transmission and biosecurity measures. While most recognized that HIV is not transmitted through saliva, a notable percentage still held this misconception. Additionally, a significant number admitted they would not treat all patients as if they were HIV-positive, indicating potential gaps in adherence to universal precautions.

Bridging the Gap for Better Care

The study underscores the importance of targeted interventions to improve dental students' attitudes and preparedness in treating HIV+ patients. Enhanced training programs, addressing misconceptions, and promoting adherence to biosecurity protocols are essential steps. Encouraging greater interaction with HIV+ patients during academic training can also foster a more compassionate and inclusive approach to dental care, ultimately ensuring that individuals living with HIV/AIDS receive the quality oral healthcare they deserve.

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Everything You Need To Know

What were the key findings regarding dental students' attitudes towards HIV+ patients in the Santiago de Cali, Colombia study?

The study in Santiago de Cali, Colombia, revealed several key findings. A significant majority of dental students, between 86% and 92%, demonstrated positive attitudes toward treating HIV+ patients. Over 88% of the students expressed a willingness to treat these patients, with preclinical students exhibiting the most favorable disposition. However, the study also highlighted concerns, such as the potential difficulty for auxiliary staff to accept treating HIV+ patients, influencing the likelihood of proceeding with treatment. Furthermore, many students felt they had not received adequate training in managing HIV/AIDS patients, particularly those in the final clinical and preclinical groups. These findings underscore the importance of addressing misconceptions and enhancing training to improve care for individuals living with HIV/AIDS.

How does the perceived lack of training impact dental students' preparedness to treat HIV+ patients, as shown in the study?

The perceived lack of adequate training significantly impacts the preparedness of dental students to treat HIV+ patients. A substantial number of students, particularly in the final clinical (66.7%) and preclinical (82.2%) groups, reported feeling underprepared. This lack of training contributes to potential gaps in knowledge about HIV transmission, biosecurity protocols, and the management of HIV+ patients. These gaps can lead to hesitation or reluctance to treat these patients, as students may feel unsure about how to handle specific clinical situations or how to protect themselves and their staff. Consequently, enhancing training programs to address these deficiencies is crucial for improving students' confidence and ability to provide appropriate and timely dental care.

What biosecurity concerns and misconceptions were identified among the dental students regarding HIV transmission?

The study assessed dental students' understanding of HIV transmission and biosecurity measures. While most students recognized that HIV is not transmitted through saliva, a notable percentage still held this misconception. This indicates a gap in their understanding of the virus's transmission routes and the importance of adhering to strict biosecurity protocols. Furthermore, a significant number of students admitted they would not treat all patients as if they were HIV-positive, indicating potential lapses in the consistent application of universal precautions. These findings highlight the need for enhanced education on proper biosecurity practices and the importance of treating all patients with the same level of precaution to prevent the spread of infections.

What specific interventions are suggested to improve dental students' approach to treating HIV+ patients?

The study underscores the importance of several interventions to improve dental students' approach to treating HIV+ patients. Firstly, the study suggests implementing enhanced training programs that specifically address misconceptions about HIV transmission, management, and biosecurity protocols. These programs should provide updated information and practical skills to dispel fears and increase students' confidence. Secondly, promoting greater interaction with HIV+ patients during academic training is recommended. This can help students develop a more compassionate and inclusive approach to dental care, reducing stigma and fostering a better understanding of the patients' needs. Finally, ensuring strict adherence to universal precautions is essential to protect both the students and the patients. These combined efforts are aimed at creating a more supportive and effective environment for dental care.

What role does societal stigma and negative attitudes play in the context of providing dental care to HIV+ patients in Colombia?

Societal stigma and negative attitudes among healthcare professionals, including dental professionals, can create significant barriers to care for individuals living with HIV/AIDS in Colombia. Negative perceptions can lead to discrimination, avoidance of treatment, or a lower quality of care. This can affect patients' willingness to seek dental care, impacting their oral health and overall well-being. Furthermore, negative attitudes can create a stressful environment for both patients and healthcare providers, potentially leading to communication breakdowns and a lack of trust. The study highlights the need to address these attitudes and foster a more compassionate and inclusive approach to dental care through education, training, and improved awareness of HIV/AIDS to ensure all individuals receive the quality oral healthcare they deserve.