Atendimento odontológico ao portador do HIV: medo, preconceito e ética profissional / Dental care for HIV-positive individuals:fear, prejudice, and professional athics

ABSTRACT

Objective. To describe the ethical aspects involved in the dental care provided to patients who are HIV-positive or who have AIDS. Methods. Literature review (textbooks and MEDLINE and LILACS databases), with an emphasis on the work developed at the School of Dentistry, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil. We examined the social representation of AIDS, the risk of HIV infection during office visits, the refusal to provide care, referral to other professionals without justification, special charges and office visit hours for HIV-positive patients, and the confidentiality of the serological status of the patient. Results. There is still prejudice and ignorance about the risk of HIV and AIDS infection, on the part of dental surgeons and of patients. Conclusions. An educational project should be undertaken at dental offices and at universities that train new professionals. In addition, the role of national and regional professional associations in provideing information concerning ethical aspects involved in the care of HIV?AIDS patients should be reinforced